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
JONG Nyan Chong was only 18 when he stood before a towering figure of a legend, Bala “Kuda” Ditta at a Sarawak Amateur Athletic Association (AAA), who at 38 was nearing the end of his remarkable career. As a young hurdler, Nyan Chong was soundly beaten, but it wasn’t the defeat that defined him—it was the invaluable lesson that came with it. The loss stoked a fire within him, planting the seed of a dream: to one day be crowned a champion, just like Bala.
Standing at only 5 feet 6 inches, Nyan Chong did not fit the typical mould of a hurdler. But what he lacked in stature, he more than compensated for with a heart brimming with determination and an unrelenting belief in his own potential. His agility, honed during his school days as a gymnast, convinced him that he had something special—something that could be nurtured into greatness. His teacher, Liang Kok Chong, saw it too.
In 1968, when Nyan Chong was still in school, Kok Chong recognised his athletic potential and encouraged his students to pursue track events, an important moment that shifted Nyan Chong’s path from gymnastics to athletics. It didn’t take long for Nyan Chong to prove that he had made the right choice.
That same year, running for Chung Hua Primary School No. 1, he won the coveted best athlete trophy in the Boys Category B Division at the Chinese inter-primary school meet. This marked the beginning. As Nyan Chong entered secondary school, his prowess only grew. By 1976, he was making his mark in inter-school meets, winning three events: the 100m completed within 11 seconds, the 110m hurdles in 15.9 seconds, and the 400m hurdles within an impressive 55.6 seconds.
Despite his rapid progress, Nyan Chong was acutely aware of one thing: he needed guidance. In his school, he had no proper coaching, especially in the technical aspects of hurdling. He knew that to reach the next level, he required expert advice. His search led him to a friend and former school athlete, Kho Seng Hai. Seng Hai’s mentorship shifted Nyan Chong’s athletic career. With Seng Hai’s coaching, Nyan Chong improved rapidly, refining his technique and growing stronger with each hurdle he faced.
In 1974, he entered his first major competition at the Sarawak AAA meet, competing in the 400m hurdles. It was also where he once again faced Bala, this time in the 110m hurdles. Though he took silver, the race gave him yet another invaluable lesson. Nyan Chong also raced against Kom Tingang in the 100m, only to be defeated once more. But these losses only further fuelled his desire to rise.
His defining moment only came in 1980, at the Sarawak-level meet. There, he claimed victory in two events: the 400m hurdles and the 4x400m relay. His crowning achievement was breaking the 400m hurdles record, previously held by none other than Bala. It was a symbolic triumph, as Nyan Chong not only succeeded his former idol but exceeded him, realising the dream he had nurtured since his teenage years.
“To overcome my lack of height, I worked tirelessly on my reflexes.
“I ran long distances to build my endurance and did plyometric workouts to enhance my energy,” Nyan Chong said.
His dedication was unwavering, and his transformation from a young boy learning the ropes to a champion on the national stage was undeniable.
But no athlete climbs the mountain of success alone. Nyan Chong credits his friend and coach, Seng Hai, for pushing him to new heights. Under Seng Hai’s guidance, Nyan Chong transformed from a school athlete to an international competitor.
His journey continued when he had the privilege of training under the national hurdler Ishtiaq Mubarak, who helped refine Nyan Chong’s techniques further. In 1980, his career took another significant leap when he joined Maybank. The environment there supported his athletic ambitions, and with the help of the Sarawak Sports Council, Nyan Chong embarked on foreign training stints in Australia and West Germany to prepare for the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.
His hard work bore fruit when Nyan Chong won gold in the 400m hurdles at the Malaysian Amateur Athletic Union (MAAU) Open. However, his greatest achievement came in 1982, at the SEA Games in Manila, where he earned a silver medal in the 400m hurdles. His time of 52.8 seconds stood as Sarawak’s record for years, proof of the years of intense training and unyielding perseverance it took to reach the top. That record held for an astonishing 30 years.
Following his SEA Games success, Nyan Chong decided to retire from athletics, focusing on his career and pursuing a new passion—martial arts. But his legacy as a hurdler, forged in the heat of defeat and crowned in the glory of triumph, remains an enduring inspiration to all who dream of overcoming their limits. –DayakDaily
