| Universiti Putra Malaysia

Three national wushu athletes graduated with Masters

By Azman Zakaria
Photo by Noor Azreen Awang



SERDANG, Oct 26 -Three national Wushu athletes – Loh Jack Chang, Chai Fong Wei and Diana Bong Siong Lin – graduated with Master’s degrees at the convocation ceremony, at Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) here.

Jack Chang, gold medalist of World Wushu Championship 2015 in Jakarta, and Fong Wei, silver medalist of the same tournament, both from Putra Business School, received their Master of Business Administration in the convocation ceremony of 18th UPM- Private Higher Educational Institutions  (UPM-IPTS) Collaborative Programme today, while Diana Bong, gold medalist of World Wushu Championship 2013, received Master of Corporate Communication at UPM's 40th Convocation last Saturday.

Jack Chang, 29, who won two gold medals in the SEA Games in Laos, 2009, and Singapore SEA Games 2015, gold medal at World Taijiquan Championship 2014 in China and two gold medals in Poland 2016, said there is no short cut for him to succeed in both fields – sports and academic – simultaneously.

“Must be wise in managing time…as an athlete, we surely feel exhausted, particularly during tournaments,” said the athlete who hails from Miri, Sarawak.

“Assistance rendered by lecturers and fellow students is equally important,” said Jack Chang who undergoes training in the morning and afternoon from Monday to Friday and Saturday morning.

He added that he attended classes after training in the morning and in the afternoon, and normally did revision and other academic assignments at night.

“I am grateful to have achieved what I have aspired for…success in both academic and sports,” he said, adding that he aimed to win gold in the 2017 SEA Games.

Fong Wei, 28, who is silver medalist of 2016 Asia Wushu Championship in Taiwan, three bronze medals at World Wushu Championship  2007, 2011 and 2013, two bronze in 2005 SEA Games and another bronze (demonstration sports) in Beijing Olympics in 2008, said she made it a point to give full attention when in class.

“I really focus when I am studying…no music, no mobile phone, nothing.

“Half of my time is spent on training and sports activities, so I really need to focus when studying,” said the lass who hailed from Malacca.

She also announced that she is retiring from sports due to injuries she suffered in both her knees and wanted to take up a job in the field of management.

Diana Bong, 31, from Kuching, Sarawak, said high commitment was pertinent in order to succeed in both sports and academic.

“Self discipline is vital, otherwise, it will be tough to achieve success in both areas,” she said, adding that she was preparing herself for the Wushu World Cup in China in November and 2017 SEA Games.

She won three gold in the SEA Games in 2007, 2009 and 2013; a bronze medal in Wushu Asia Championship 2006; gold and two silver medals in Wushu Asia Championship 2013, and bronze (demonstration sports) in an Olympic Games in 2008. – UPM


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