MEDAN, Indonesia — Young Sarawak athlete Solomon Ng Guang Zhong has delivered a proud moment for Malaysia after winning gold in the Men’s U-18 5kg Hammer Throw at the 17th South East Asia U-18 & U-20 Athletics Championship 2025, held at the Madya Athletics Stadium in Medan, North Sumatera.
The 17-year-old athlete from Kuching recorded an impressive throw of 59.49 metres, marking a new personal best and coming within centimetres of the championship record. His winning throw outperformed competitors from Indonesia, Thailand, and fellow Malaysian athlete Muhammad Dzul in a tense and closely fought final. The championship, sanctioned by World Athletics, is being held from 13 to 19 November 2025 and features top young athletes from across the region.
Solomon’s win comes as a pleasant surprise, especially since Thailand was the favourite to take the event. Adding to the challenge, Solomon was unable to join centralized intensive training prior to the competition due to his AS Level examinations. He reportedly rushed to the airport immediately after completing his final exam. Balancing school and high-performance training has been a constant test for him. Fortunately, his school, Lodge International School, has shown strong support for his sporting aspirations, allowing him to pursue both academics and athletics with confidence.
Solomon has been training under Coach Willie Liew since the age of 12. Starting originally with shot put, he was introduced to hammer throw only when he was old enough to handle the discipline. Coach Willie, a certified World Athletics Level II Throw Coach and Lecturer, has been a key figure in Solomon’s growth, guiding him with patience and expertise. Their long-term teamwork, built on trust, discipline, and consistency, has produced a champion who now stands proudly on the regional stage. Coach Willie’s motto, “There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work and life-long learning,” reflects the foundation of Solomon’s journey. Meanwhile, Solomon himself believes firmly in the process, saying, “Respect the process. The results will respect you.”
This gold medal adds to Solomon’s growing list of achievements. He previously won a bronze medal in the SEA Youth Athletics Championship 2024 in Sabah in the U-18 5kg category with a throw of 55.77 metres. He also claimed gold at the Sarawak Junior Athletics Championship 2025 in the U-20 6kg category with a throw of 54.01 metres, silver at the SIPMA Games 2025 in Johor Bahru in the senior 7kg category with 45.80 metres, and bronze at the Borneo Games 2025 in the senior 7kg category, where he was the youngest participant.
Solomon’s triumph serves as a strong finish for the 2025 athletics season and stands as proof of Sarawak’s ability to produce world-class young athletes. His achievement not only uplifts the state but also reflects the potential of Malaysia’s growing talent pool in field events.
