TWO EXTREMES, ONE MISSION

Malaysia’s oldest and youngest athletes take pride in representing country

THE oldest athlete in the 423-member Malaysian contingent to the Asian Games is 81 years old while the youngest is 11. Despite the huge gap in age between bridge player Lee Hung Fong and skateboarder Ian Nuriman Amri, they share the same goal — which is to do well for Malaysia.

They will take pride in representing the country at the Jakarta-Palembang Asian Games (Aug 18-Sept 2).

Hung Fong is 70 years older than Ian. Both of them won’t be on the same contingent if not for Indonesia including bridge and skateboard for the first time ever in the Asian Games.

Hung Fong said: “I am the oldest in the team, and I’m very happy to be selected for the Asian Games. I hope I will do well with my teammates.

Hung Fong conducts bridge classes (a card game) at the Royal Lake Club in Kuala Lumpur, the Royal Selangor Club and Royal Selangor Golf Club.

“My achievement has been teaching and bringing up some good students (in bridge),” she said.

At the other end, teenager Ian is just as excited and proud to have been selected for the Asian Games.

“I am the youngest, the smallest and I get to represent Malaysia. It’s not easy but I am so, so, proud.

“I can accept if I don’t win but I will try my best because there’s a lot of great competitors out there and this is just my turn to see where I’m at,” said Ian.

Hung Fong will lead nine other bridge players for the Asian Games while Ian will be joined by three skateboarders in Yaziru Amiru Dasyir Zainordin, Fatin Syahirah Roszizi and Christina Lai Grace). The only Malaysian participating in roller skate is Mohamad Hazim Syahmi Shahrum.