This work is originally published by Cahya Mata Sarawak. DayakDaily is given the permission to share this story within our platforms.
By Martin Yee, Kenny Ee, and Marlynda Meraw
THE wind on her face, the thrill in her veins – Mary Chong wasn’t just running; she was leaving a lasting mark on Sarawak’s sporting history. With the kind of grace that only came from pure, natural talent, she became the first woman sprinting champion of Sarawak, a title earned when she was still just a schoolgirl with a gift that couldn’t be ignored.
At a time when the idea of women on the track was still new, Mary stepped onto it as though it had always belonged to her. At just 16, her speed had already caught the attention of many, and soon enough, she found herself on the combined Borneo team – a select group of athletes from Sarawak and North Borneo (now Sabah). In 1956, Mary stood on the starting line at the prestigious Malaya Open Athletic Meet in Penang, marking a new chapter in her journey, one filled with promise.
It was the same year that women in Sarawak were finally allowed to compete officially. Without hesitation, Mary seized her moment. At the inaugural Sarawak Open Championship in Kuching, she didn’t just compete; she dominated. Winning the 100-yard in 12.4 seconds, she became Sarawak’s first woman sprinting champion, and in doing so, etched her name into the history books. On July 14, 1956, she carved out another piece of history, setting records in both the 100-yard and 220-yard events. Her records of 12.4 seconds for the 100-yard and 29.8 seconds for the 220-yard would stand as the fastest times for three and six years, respectively.
That year, at the Inter-Territorial Games, known as the Borneo Games, Mary once again proved her talent. Her dominance in the 100-yard with a time of 12.6 seconds and the 220-yard at 28.9 seconds solidified her legacy as one of Borneo’s most formidable sprinters.
Though her rise was late—only starting around the age of 16—Mary’s love for running had been there long before. She spent her school days at St. Mary’s School in Kuching, where she was always active, always outdoors. Running was more than a sport; it was her freedom. Often seen sprinting across the track at the nearby St. Thomas’ School ground, her coaches and peers quickly noticed her speed. In those early years, she commanded, scoring victories in both the 100 and 220 yards, and as part of St. Mary’s victorious relay team, alongside Jenny Wong, Lulu Wong, and Rosalind Anding. Together, they were unstoppable, turning St. Mary’s into a formidable force
Yet, even with her talent, it wasn’t until 1956 that she got her chance on a larger stage. The Kuching Amateurs Athletics Association (AAA) Meet had finally opened its doors to female athletes, and Mary stepped into that arena with the determination of someone who knew this was her time. The Malaya Open in Penang was her first trip outside Sarawak, her first race was on a bitumen track – and she ran it barefoot. There, facing the likes of Singapore’s champion sprinter Mary Beatrice Klass, Mary didn’t take home the gold, but she did something even more remarkable – she qualified for the 220-yard final. All of it, barefoot.
Running without shoes was a way of life back then, especially for those who couldn’t afford spiked shoes. Mary made do, sometimes running in her school shoes, other times barefoot. Her achievements, under such conditions, only magnified her greatness. She would later smile at the memory of being recognised on Carpenter Street, as people greeted her with a warm, “Hello, Mary,” the region’s sprinting star.
After completing her Form Six, Mary left Sarawak for Sydney, where she pursued a diploma in teaching. Mary’s gold medal for the 220-yard event during Kuching AAA Championships 1956. When she returned, she stepped into a different role, teaching at her alma mater, St. Mary’s School, where she had once been a top student and athlete. Even as a teacher, her legacy on the track continued to echo. Her 100-yard record stood proudly for three years, and her 220-yard record remained unbeaten for six years, until another rising star, Chen Li Na, claimed the sprinting crown.
Mary’s competitive career may have been brief, but her impact was anything but fleeting. She was the first to break the barriers for women in Sarawak, and though her time on the track was short, she blazed a trail that others would follow for years. Today, her name is synonymous with the early days of Sarawakian athletics – a pioneer, a champion, and a trailblazer who rose above the limitations of her time and left a lasting legacy on the history of sport in Sarawak. –DayakDaily
