KUCHING: Even in his off-season, national shot putter, Jonah Chang Rigan, showed why he is Malaysia’s best, throwing 17.59 metres (m) to win gold for Sarawak at the Borneo Games Kuching 2025.
Jonah, who holds the national record with 18.66m, was not chasing big distances this time around but still proved a class above the competition.
He finished well ahead of Sabah’s Earl Isaac Mitzler Fredolin, who managed 14.74m for silver, while Sarawak’s Muhammad Irysad Irzalhazir Matali settled for bronze with 12.80m.
Speaking after his win, the Sarikei-born athlete described the outing as a relaxed performance, using the Borneo Games as part of his rest period before resuming training for the SEA Games in Thailand later this year.
“For me, I’m just very grateful. This competition was more for fun, to be happy, and to support the event,” Jonah told the Sarawak Tribune at the Sarawak Stadium today.
He admitted he initially had no plans to compete but decided to join once he received the invitation.
“It’s my off-season, so I just came to test myself, to see if I can still maintain my performance,” he said.
Jonah also emphasised the importance of senior athletes lending support to regional meets like the Borneo Games.
“This event is good because it shows that Borneo still has talent and we are not left behind. It’s also about inspiring the younger ones from the villages and showing them what’s possible,” he added.
Currently pursuing his first year at Universiti Malaya, Jonah shared that October will mark the start of his full training programme in Kuala Lumpur as preparations intensify for the SEA Games.
“Rest is important; if you push too hard without balance, you risk burnout. This period gives me time to recover before the full season,” he said.
Jonah, who once began as a javelin thrower before switching to shot put in secondary school, cited New Zealand’s Tom Walsh as his idol and source of inspiration.
The men’s shot put final highlighted Jonah’s dominance, proving that even at less than peak condition, Malaysia’s national record holder remains the man to beat.
