SERDANG, Aug 17 (Bernama) -- Long before Johor’s Chai Kai Le became a record-breaking javelin thrower at the Malaysia Games (SUKMA), he was a badminton-playing schoolboy whose quick arm caught the eye of a teacher.
That observation eventually steered Kai Le towards javelin in Standard Six and years later to the top of the podium at the Selangor 2026 edition, where the 18-year-old shattered a 26-year-old Games record today.
Kai Le hurled the javelin 64.44 metres (m) on his second attempt at the Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) Sports Centre, eclipsing the previous mark of 62.33m set by Sarawak’s Kho Mei Kuan at the 2000 edition in Penang.
“I started javelin when I was in Standard Six. Before that, I played badminton, but my teacher noticed that I had a quick arm when releasing the shuttle and suggested that I give javelin a try.
“Later, I started taking part in open competitions and watching the senior athletes throw. Seeing how far they could throw made me think that one day, I wanted to be like them,” he told reporters here.
Behind that breakthrough has been the unwavering support of his father, Chai Yin Huan, who Kai Le said has never hesitated to spend on treatment, equipment and whatever else was needed to keep his sporting journey going.
“Every time I was injured, my father would pay for my treatment and recovery. Whenever my shoes were worn out, he would buy me a new pair. He has always supported me.
“He never expected me to become a top athlete. He just wanted me to do my best and, most importantly, to stay healthy,” said Kai Le, the youngest of three siblings.
That support has been especially important over the past year as the pre-university student at Bukit Jalil Sports School battled recurring problems with his back, right shoulder and elbow injuries which he admitted have yet to fully heal.
Despite the setbacks, Kai Le continued training and competing, including at the Indonesia Open earlier this year, where he set a personal best and national under-20 record of 65.65m.
Having already surpassed the SUKMA record, Kai Le now has his sights on a 70m throw next year as he seeks to qualify for the 2027 SEA Games, with a one-month training stint in Japan planned early next year.
“I’m confident I can do it. If you really want it, it will come,” he added.
-- BERNAMA