Koh Eng Tong
Encyclopedia
Koh Eng Tong was one of Malaysia's pioneer and foremost professional photographer and founder of Eng Tong System Sdn. Bhd, a leading supplier of professional photographic equipment and other products in Malaysia. He is credited with bringing the first Commonwealth Games
gold medal to Malaysia and has been instrumental in bringing Malaysian sports to world prominence.
Spouse - Wong Yoke Lan
Sons - Ronnie Koh, Tony Koh, and Jerry Koh
Daughter - Maureen Chin
Grandchildren - Kevin Koh, Mervin Koh, Tracy Koh, Cindy Koh, Wendy Koh, Malcolm Koh, Patrick Koh, Darren Chin, Sharon Chin, and Brian Chin.
in Weightlifting (featherweight) held in Auckland
, New Zealand. At these games he lifted 310.5kg (684.5 lbs) to win the featherweight Gold.
Although at the time, Malaya was not yet an independent country, the British Government in Malaya allowed an organized a team of four weightlifters from Malaya to participate for the first time in the Games under the Union Jack. The 1950 games was also the first occasion weightlifting was introduced. Due to the absence of a sports organization, the weightlifters had to pay their own expenses to participate at the games. All four lifters medaled, bringing back 2 gold, 1 silver, and 1 bronze.
In 1951, he was rated one of the top ten Featherweight Lifters in the World.
In 1954, due to lack of financial support, Malaya could not participate in the 1954 British Empire and Commonwealth Games
held in Vancouver. It was unfortunate that Mr. Koh was not given an opportunity to defend his title, which many say would have resulted in a repeat victory. The 1954 winning weight in the featherweight category was 690 lbs, a mere 5 lbs more than the total achieved by Koh Eng Tong in 1950.
(IOC) in 1954. Mr. Koh was among a contingent of 33 athletes sent by the Federation of Malaya
Olympic Council to participate in the 1956 Summer Olympics
in Melbourne.
Although 6 years removed from his Gold Medal performance at the British Empire games. Mr. Koh represented Malaya in the featherweight weightlifting category. It was the first of two Olympic appearance by the nation under the Malaya name. He lifted 285kg (628lbs), well off his personal best during his prime and finish in 17th place.
Mr. Koh presented to Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) with a classic photo which he took in the 1956 Summer Olympics
in Melbourne.
"Iron Man of Malaya"
Eng Tong was honored by becoming the Queen's Baton Relay
Final Runner for these games, who at 77 handed the baton which contained the Queen's message to Prince Edward, the Queen's representative and Commonwealth Games Federation president.
The games were the first ever hosted by an Asian country and for the first time in the history of the games that all 70 Commonwealth countries took part.
Commonwealth Games
The Commonwealth Games is an international, multi-sport event involving athletes from the Commonwealth of Nations. The event was first held in 1930 and takes place every four years....
gold medal to Malaysia and has been instrumental in bringing Malaysian sports to world prominence.
Personal life
He is survived by his wife, three sons, one daughter, and ten grandchildren.Spouse - Wong Yoke Lan
Sons - Ronnie Koh, Tony Koh, and Jerry Koh
Daughter - Maureen Chin
Grandchildren - Kevin Koh, Mervin Koh, Tracy Koh, Cindy Koh, Wendy Koh, Malcolm Koh, Patrick Koh, Darren Chin, Sharon Chin, and Brian Chin.
British Empire & Commonwealth Games
In 1950, Koh Eng Tong won Malaysia's first Gold Medal at the 1950 British Empire Games1950 British Empire Games
The 1950 British Empire Games was the fourth edition of what is now called the Commonwealth Games. It was held in Auckland, New Zealand between the 4th and 11th of February 1950, after a 12-year gap from the 3rd edition of the games...
in Weightlifting (featherweight) held in Auckland
Auckland
The Auckland metropolitan area , in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest and most populous urban area in the country with residents, percent of the country's population. Auckland also has the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world...
, New Zealand. At these games he lifted 310.5kg (684.5 lbs) to win the featherweight Gold.
Although at the time, Malaya was not yet an independent country, the British Government in Malaya allowed an organized a team of four weightlifters from Malaya to participate for the first time in the Games under the Union Jack. The 1950 games was also the first occasion weightlifting was introduced. Due to the absence of a sports organization, the weightlifters had to pay their own expenses to participate at the games. All four lifters medaled, bringing back 2 gold, 1 silver, and 1 bronze.
In 1951, he was rated one of the top ten Featherweight Lifters in the World.
In 1954, due to lack of financial support, Malaya could not participate in the 1954 British Empire and Commonwealth Games
1954 British Empire and Commonwealth Games
The 1954 British Empire and Commonwealth Games were held in Vancouver, in the province of British Columbia in Canada, from 30 July-7 August 1954. These were the first games since the name change from British Empire Games took effect in 1952....
held in Vancouver. It was unfortunate that Mr. Koh was not given an opportunity to defend his title, which many say would have resulted in a repeat victory. The 1954 winning weight in the featherweight category was 690 lbs, a mere 5 lbs more than the total achieved by Koh Eng Tong in 1950.
Olympic games
Malaya was officially recognized by the International Olympic CommitteeInternational Olympic Committee
The International Olympic Committee is an international corporation based in Lausanne, Switzerland, created by Pierre de Coubertin on 23 June 1894 with Demetrios Vikelas as its first president...
(IOC) in 1954. Mr. Koh was among a contingent of 33 athletes sent by the Federation of Malaya
Federation of Malaya
The Federation of Malaya is the name given to a federation of 11 states that existed from 31 January 1948 until 16 September 1963. The Federation became independent on 31 August 1957...
Olympic Council to participate in the 1956 Summer Olympics
1956 Summer Olympics
The 1956 Melbourne Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XVI Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event which was held in Melbourne, Australia, in 1956, with the exception of the equestrian events, which could not be held in Australia due to quarantine regulations...
in Melbourne.
Although 6 years removed from his Gold Medal performance at the British Empire games. Mr. Koh represented Malaya in the featherweight weightlifting category. It was the first of two Olympic appearance by the nation under the Malaya name. He lifted 285kg (628lbs), well off his personal best during his prime and finish in 17th place.
Hall of Fame
In 1994, Eng Tong was recognized by the Olympic Council of Malaysia and inducted to the Hall of Fame.Mr. Koh presented to Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) with a classic photo which he took in the 1956 Summer Olympics
1956 Summer Olympics
The 1956 Melbourne Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XVI Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event which was held in Melbourne, Australia, in 1956, with the exception of the equestrian events, which could not be held in Australia due to quarantine regulations...
in Melbourne.
"Iron Man of Malaya"
1998 Commonwealth Games
When Kuala Lumpur hosted the 1998 Commonwealth Games1998 Commonwealth Games
The 1998 XVI Commonwealth Games were held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from 11 September to 21 September 1998 making it the first Asian country to act as host and the last Commonwealth Games for the 20th century. A record 70 nations supplied 3638 athletes...
Eng Tong was honored by becoming the Queen's Baton Relay
Queen's Baton Relay
The Queen's Baton Relay, similar to the Olympic Torch Relay, is a relay around the world held prior to the beginning of the Commonwealth Games. The Baton carries a message from the Head of the Commonwealth, currently Queen Elizabeth II. The Relay traditionally begins at Buckingham Palace in London...
Final Runner for these games, who at 77 handed the baton which contained the Queen's message to Prince Edward, the Queen's representative and Commonwealth Games Federation president.
The games were the first ever hosted by an Asian country and for the first time in the history of the games that all 70 Commonwealth countries took part.