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Sunday, May 30, 2010

Ng Joo Pong ~ a national hero

Venue: Petaling Jaya (Sunday May 30th 2010) DSC_0363

We were having breakfast out when this man ‘parked’ his bicycle and walked in. Well, people cycles ya… but this one is special. At 64 years old, our twice Olympian Mr. Ng Joo Pong was still at it. ‘Just for the exercise’, he said. We invited him to sit with us where he ordered ‘Teh cam kurang manis satu!’… that’s one coffee, mix with tea plus creamer and unsweetened; means… no sugar or less sugar. (Malaysian’s and their food delicacies)

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We started talking or more of getting ‘his-story’ out. How he trains and qualifies for the Olympic games back then. He went for the first Olympic games when he was eighteen and the second in Mexico despite being warded for three months after a collision with a lorry during training that broke his jaw. sheesh... and even that, made it as top qualifier during the qualifying meet which was to cycle from north (Alor Setar) to south (Johor Baru). He has so many experiences and tricks on how to make it out there. I kept telling him to give talks and pass his knowledge down to budding cyclists but he declined. Politics in sports… well, Malaysian sports sad to say. Maybe those really interested should seek this man for ‘hand-me-downs’. Such a waste if no one taps it out of him for good use.

DSC_0361iIn the older days where our sportsmen/women lack technologies and facilities like how we have today, only with sheer determination, energy and brain… they make it to the highest level in sports competition. Despite the hardship and the many setbacks… these are things that youngsters of today should listen, and make good example of. 

We sat and he told us stories of “the good old days”. However, time was not with us. It was getting hot, old man ya… let him go back. He will need to cycle all the way back in the hot sun, I believe easily nearing fifty kilometre. God! ask me to cycle five and I’d choose… my bed! DSC_0375i

I salute this man…. he has broken bones on both legs, his jaw and God knows what other injuries, now suffering from back pain… he doesn’t even walk straight… and yet.

With his old bike and shoes… there he goes… an honour to know you uncle Joe…  hats up!

 

 

 

Full name: Ng Joo Pong, Joe               Gender: Male
Height: 5'6" (167 cm)               Weight: 141 lbs (64 kg)
Born: June 19, 1946 in Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Country: MAS Malaysia            Sport: Cycling

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Results

Games Age City Sport Event Team NOC Rank Medal
1964 Summer 18 Tokyo Cycling Men's 100 kilometres Team Time Trial Malaysia MAS 32
1964 Summer 18 Tokyo Cycling Men's 1,000 metres Time Trial Malaysia MAS 24
1964 Summer 18 Tokyo Cycling Men's Team Pursuit, 4,000 metres Malaysia MAS AC h9 r1/4 DNF
1968 Summer 22 Ciudad de México Cycling Men's Road Race, Individual Malaysia MAS AC DNF

Men's Road Race, Individual

 
Games Age City Sport Country Phase Unit Rank
1968 Summer 22 Ciudad de México Cycling Malaysia Final Standings AC DNF

Men's 100 kilometres Team Time Trial

 
Games Age City Sport Team NOC Phase Unit Rank T
1964 Summer 18 Tokyo Cycling Malaysia MAS Final Standings 32 3-11:47.02

Men's 1,000 metres Time Trial

 
Games Age City Sport Country Phase Unit Rank T
1964 Summer 18 Tokyo Cycling Malaysia Final Standings 24 1:20.68

Men's Team Pursuit, 4,000 metres

 
Games Age City Sport Team NOC Phase Unit Rank
1964 Summer 18 Tokyo Cycling Malaysia MAS Round One Heat Nine AC DNF
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