Koh Eng Tong
Koh Eng Tong was a weightlifter and photographer from Malaysia. Among the first to win the Commonwealth Games gold medal for Malaya, he played an instrumental part in bringing Malaysian sports to world prominence.
Early life
Koh Eng Tong was a Straits Chinese of Cantonese ancestry born in Seremban, Negri Sembilan.In 1937, Koh started weigh training while he was still a 17 year old student in Kuala Lumpur, after being encouraged by his brother-in-law. In 1941, Koh returned to Seremban to organise the Adonis Body-building Club there.
In the same year, Koh earned his first title at the Selangor weightlifting competition, where he won the featherweight gold medal after lifting 226.5 kg.
Sports career
1948 National Games of the Republic of China
The Republic of China decided to hold their 7th National Games in May 1948, after its postponement caused by World War II. Despite financial difficulties, the Chinese Organising Committee">Chinese language">Chinese Organising Committee still assembled a contingent to the Games. Koh Eng Tong was part of 5 weightlifters sent there.Koh won the middleweight title after lifting 297.5 kg.
1950 British Empire Games
In 1950, Malaya was allowed for the first time to send a contingent to the 1950 [British Empire Games] held in Auckland, New Zealand. The weightlifters, short of money, were sponsored by Wong Hoi Onn, president of the Selangor [Health and Strength Association] to participate at the games. They had to fulfil the condition of winning a medal, or they would have to repay their expenses. All 4 weightlifters medalled.Koh lifted 310.5 kg in the featherweight category, winning him the gold medal.
1956 Summer Olympics
Malaya was officially recognised by the International Olympic Committee in 1954. Koh Eng Tong was among a contingent of 32 athletes sent by the Federation of Malaya Olympic Council to participate in the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne, Australia.Representing Malaya in the featherweight category, Koh lifted 285 kg, well off his personal best and finished in 17th place. He attributed his disappointing performance to him feeling numb out of coldness.
1958 Retirement
Koh Eng Tong announced his retirement from competitive weightlifting in 7 February 1958.Photography career
Koh Eng Tong was an avid photographer. He had established multiple photography businesses over the years. He also briefly worked as a press photographer with The Straits Times as well.In 1950, Koh became the founder and chairman of Eng Tong Systems Sdn. Bhd., a supplier of professional photographic equipment in Malaysia. The family-run business still functions today.
Personal life
Koh Eng Tong was an official of the Selangor Health and Strength Association and a qualified international weightlifting referee.He had damaged his vocal cords during weightlifting, leaving him with a hoarse voice ever since.
He reportedly had a habit of burning joss sticks before competitions. He burned a joss stick before his match in the 7th National Games of the Republic of China. He tried to do the same during the 1950 British Empire Games, but found it hard to find in New Zealand.
Koh managed to contact fellow Empire Games gold medallist Tho Fook Hung at The Penang Home for the Infirm and Aged in 28 October 1993. Tho died a few hours after his visit, with Koh helping the preparation of his funeral.
He had donated his Empire Games gold medal to the National Museum. He also donated artifacts and a photo he took of the 1956 Summer Olympics to the Australian Sports Museum.