Jong is welcomed by Samsudin (third right) and well-wishers at Kuching International Airport yesterday. — Photo by Kong Juin Long
KUCHING: Sarawak Paralympian powerlifter Jong Khee Yie received a rousing homecoming at the Kuching International Airport yesterday.
The 27-year-old who lives in Taman Desa Wira in Batu Kawah said he was very touched by the reception led by permanent secretary to the Ministry of Welfare, Women and Community Wellbeing, Datin Megir Gumbek and Welfare Department director Abang Samsudin Abang Seruji.
More than 50 people, including well-wishers from the OKU (Orang Kurang Upaya) community, turned up at the airport to welcome Jong who flew back in Kuala Lumpur.
“I had a welcome reception in Kuala Lumpur and I feel very happy and excited with the welcome here … it is a different feeling as this is my hometown,” he told reporters.
Jong said although he did not better his personal best, he was pretty happy with his performance. He finished seventh in men’s 97kg powerlifting in Rio de Janiero and regarded it as an achievement because he was competing against the best in the world.
“I have already given my best for the country,” he added.
Being able to go to the 2016 Paralympics itself was already an achievement for Jong who had been fighting very hard for a place in the national squad. Jong was a bronze medallist at the World Cup and Asia Cup.
He will be competing in three major championships next year and they are the Para Powerlifting World Cup in Dubai, World Cup in Mexico and Asean Paralympic Games in Kuala Lumpur.
“I am prepared for the three competitions,” he said.
The other Sarawakian who competed at the Rio Paralympic Games was Jamery Siga from Limbang who participated in the swimming events.