KUCHING (June 17): Malaysia’s top shot putter Jonah Chang Rigan endured a stern test at the Asian Athletics Championships held in Gumi, South Korea recently. It marked the Sarawak strongman’s debut on stage with the best in the continent.

In Oct 2023, the two-time Sukma (Malaysia Games) champion had first broken the national record with a throw of 17.67m. He improved on that mark with a distance of 18.46m (60ft 7in) in May last year, becoming the first man in Malaysia and the third in Southeast Asia to break through the 18m barrier in the event.

The 22-year-old, who hails from Sarikei, faced off against an elite field of shot putters in the Gumi Civic Stadium on May 29. Mohd Daoud Tolu of Saudi Arabia, who holds the Asian record of 21.80m, was the pre-competition favourite in the field of 15 which included seven who have thrown over 20m and two others with their personal best over 19m.

Mohd Daoud eventually finished third (19.92m) behind China’s Xing Jialiang (19.97m) and Iran’s Mohdreza Tayebiseikoti who won the gold medal with 20.32m (66ft 8in). Jonah threw 18.05m (59ft 3in) to end up in 10th place. It was the third time that he had surpassed 18m in his career.

William Morrison of the Philippines finished seventh with a distance of 18.55m. Thailand’s Jakkapat Noisri, who won the gold medal in the event at the 2023 SEA Games with 17.84m, was absent.

Jonah’s creditable performance in Gumi augurs well for his goal of winning a medal in the SEA Games to be held in Bangkok, Thailand at the end of this year. He had finished fifth in his SEA Games debut in Phnom Penh two years ago.

Malaysia sent 23 athletes to compete in the 26th Asian Athletics Championships held from May 27 to 31. The national squad included five from Sarawak: Jonathan Nyepa (100m and 4x100m relay), Muhd Rizzua Haizad (110m hurdles), Grace Wong (hammer), Queenie Ting (discus) and Ng Jing Xuan (javelin).

athletes Jonah Chang Rigan shot put track and field