KUCHING, Aug 23 – Sarawak’s rising star, Jonah Chang Rigan, has firmly etched his name in Malaysian sports history by clinching three gold medals in the 21st Malaysian Games (SUKMA XXI). The 21-year-old Sarikei-born athlete achieved this remarkable feat after a stunning performance in the men’s hammer throw event at the Sarawak Stadium today.
Jonah’s winning throw of 54.65 meters not only secured him the gold but also shattered his personal best of 53.54 meters, set just last month in Terengganu. His triumph in the hammer throw marks the culmination of his mission to secure three gold medals at SUKMA 2024, following his victories in the men’s shot put and discus events earlier in the week.
A Golden Journey to Remember
Jonah’s journey to triple gold began on Monday, August 19, when he won the men’s shot put event with a record-breaking throw of 17.66 meters, setting a new SUKMA record. He followed up this impressive performance with a gold in the men’s discus throw on Wednesday, August 21, where he narrowly missed his personal best with a throw of 46.16 meters—just 1cm shy of his record of 46.17 meters.
His final event, the men’s hammer throw, was eagerly anticipated as he faced tough competition from Perlis’ Rizad Azri Che Radzi, whom Jonah had described as his “big fight” ahead of the event. Despite a valiant effort from Rizad, who secured the silver medal with a throw of 48.70 meters, Jonah’s superior distance of 54.65 meters clinched the gold.
Sabah’s Nabil Faiz Ayub claimed the bronze with a throw of 46.50 meters, while another Sarawakian, Lu Teck Yi, finished just off the podium in fourth place with a distance of 43.55 meters.
Overcoming Challenges and Setting New Goals
Despite not achieving his ambitious goal of a 55-meter throw, Jonah expressed his happiness and gratitude for making history with three gold medals in all the events he competed in at this year’s SUKMA.
“It is a bit disappointing not to be able to reach the 55-meter target, but I am still grateful to have won all three golds, marking a historic moment for myself. Previously, I wasn’t confident about achieving this target, but now that I have, it really boosts my confidence,” said Jonah, reflecting on his monumental achievement.
Looking ahead, Jonah revealed that his next focus is on the Cahya Mata’s Malaysian Open Championships, where he hopes to surpass his personal best record.
Battling Nerves and Injury
Jonah also opened up about the challenges he faced during the hammer throw event, including nerves and an injury to his chest. “I was nervous the whole time, believing that Rizad Azri could surpass my distance record,” he admitted. However, his technique and focus on the lower body ensured that the injury did not impact his performance.
“I wasn’t worried about the injury, but since my body has gone tired and is all-out from the first two events (shot put and discus throw), I could only better my hammer throw’s personal record today,” he said.
Interestingly, Jonah shared that the discus and hammer throw events started as “side events” for him, primarily to keep his training varied and avoid monotony from focusing solely on shot put. However, his success in these events has made him reconsider his future in the hammer throw. He even hinted at possibly succeeding veteran hammer thrower Jackie Wong Siew Cheer, who is rumored to be retiring soon.
Looking Forward to New Challenges
As SUKMA XXI comes to a close, Jonah is eager to return to his village in Sarikei for a well-deserved one-month holiday before resuming training for the Cahya Mata Open. The preliminary rounds will be held in Perlis, with the finals taking place in Sarawak later this year.
Jonah’s triple gold victory at SUKMA 2024 is a testament to his hard work, dedication, and immense talent. As he continues to set new goals and strive for excellence, Sarawak can proudly celebrate the achievements of this extraordinary athlete who has undoubtedly made his mark on the national stage.