This work is originally published by Cahya Mata Sarawak. DayakDaily has been given permission to share this story on our platforms.
By Martin Yee, Kenny Ee, and Marlynda Meraw
A Sarawak Ranger with a passion for sprinting, Kom Tingang achieved something no other sprinter from his State had done before: clocking in a blistering 10.5 seconds in the 100m, a time that left sports officials, spectators, and competitors in awe. It was a defining moment, and his performance at the Sarawak Amateurs Athletics Association (AAA) Championship would forever cement his place among the region’s sprinting legends.
Before Kom’s breakthrough, only two sprinters had come close to this kind of speed. In 1965, Marzuki Hassan had run the 100m just under 11 seconds, and a few years later, Abdul Wahed of the Armed Forces posted a time of 10.7 seconds. However, Kom’s explosive arrival on the scene changed everything.
His first major appearance came in 1976, at the Sarawak AAA Championship. With very little fanfare and without the expectations that burdened established athletes, Kom shattered any preconceptions about Sarawak’s sprinting potential. In his debut over 100m, he clocked an impressive 10.8 seconds, signalling the arrival of a new force. But this was only a preview of what was to come.
The following year, Kom returned to the Sarawak AAA Championship, where he unleashed his full potential. The 100m final saw him sprint across the finish line in 10.5 seconds, a time that placed him at the top of Sarawak’s sprint rankings. His power and speed were undeniable, and just at 5 feet 4 inches tall, his stocky build defied the typical expectations for sprinters of that calibre. Kom’s performance didn’t just stop with the 100m as he also took the 200m title in a swift 22.4 seconds, further securing his status as the new king of Sarawak’s sprinting scene.
Sarawak had been waiting for a sprinter like Kom for years, ever since the legends of the 1950s had set the standard. Now, at long last, the State had found a worthy successor. Kom wasn’t just a flash in the pan; he was the real deal, and his success opened up new possibilities for Sarawakian athletes to follow.
Born and raised in Kanowit, Kom’s early education at St. Francis Xavier laid the groundwork for his athletic journey. But it was during his time with the Sarawak Rangers that Kom truly honed his sprinting abilities. Even amidst the demands of military service, he made time to train and compete, balancing rigours of his duties with his passion for athletics. His dedication paid off, as he found himself competing on the national stage, representing Malaysia at the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.
His talent was acknowledged on the international stage as well as he was among the runners of Malaysia’s 4x100m relay team, running alongside Asian Games champion Rabuan Pit, and earning a medal for the nation. His achievements at the SEA Games marked the summit of his athletic career, with his speed ranking him just behind Rabuan Pit, one of the best sprinters in Asia at the time.
Despite the challenges of military life, Kom remained close to his family, even during long stints away on operations. His family recalls those times vividly, especially the joy they felt when he returned from his missions.
“When we were still small, I remember him being away for months during the insurgency,” a family member of Kom’s shared. “We were always happy when he (Kom) came back, and we loved the food rations he brought home with him.”
Kom’s athletic aptitude was no accident; it was forged through years of hard work and physical activity in his rural upbringing. He spent his early years helping his family tap rubber, plant paddy, and hunt in the rainforest. This lifestyle instilled in him a natural strength and endurance that would serve him well on the track.
After his time with the Sarawak Rangers, Kom transitioned into the Police Force, where he was stationed in Miri until his retirement. Throughout his career, both in the military and the police, Kom’s dedication to sports never waned. He was recognised not only for his service to the force but also for his contributions to athletics, receiving awards that honoured both his professional and sporting achievements.
For Sarawak, Kom represents yet another chapter in the long legacy of “Flying Dayaks”—athletes whose speed and skills become a symbol of inspiration on the athletic landscape. His ascent from a humble background to the SEA Games podium reflects the power of determination, natural talent, and the will to succeed despite the odds. –DayakDaily
