Wednesday, 23 July 2025

Record-breaking Jonah bags triple gold at varsity championship

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Jonah in action moments before setting a record-breaking shot put throw at the Varsity meet. Photo: Sukan IPT

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KUCHING: There was no stopping Jonah Chang at the Varsity Track & Field (VTF) Championship Circuit 2 in Kuala Terengganu last weekend.

The Sarikei-born strongman powered through the meet with a dominant sweep — three golds, one meet record, and one clear message: he’s just getting started.

Competing for Universiti Malaya (UM), the 22-year-old ruled the throwing events at Stadium UniSZA, striking gold in the shot put, hammer throw, and discus throw — reaffirming his position as Malaysia’s premier varsity thrower.

Jonah’s statement throw came in the shot put, where he launched 18.39 metres — rewriting the VTF record he himself set earlier in April (18.35m). The mark edged closer to his own national record of 18.46m, set during the Pahang Open in May 2024.

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia’s (UKM) Nathaniel Najib claimed silver with a best throw of 13.88 metres, while Mohamad Shahrul Mohamad Tarmizi of Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) settled for bronze with a distance of 12.95 metres.

Already listed among Asia’s top 10 shot putters following a strong showing at the Asian Athletics Championships in South Korea, Jonah’s triple-gold showing only sharpens his credentials ahead of the ASEAN University Games slated for next year.

Coaches have hailed his “calm fire” — composed under pressure, ruthless in execution.

Scheduled for November, the VTF Grand Final is expected to see Jonah return in peak form as he continues his pursuit of the elusive 19-metre mark — a milestone that could set a new precedent for Malaysia’s shot put standard.

The VTF Championship Circuit 2 took place from June 27 to 29.

Jonah’s (centre) primary goal of the year is to break the 19-metre mark. Photo: Sukan IPT

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