By Farhana Abd Kadir
KLANG, Aug 19 (Bernama) -- At 71, when many may choose to slow down, Leong Yong Wah remains active, regularly stepping onto the mat at his taekwondo academy in Bandar Bukit Tinggi.
For Leong, taekwondo is about more than maintaining physical fitness. It is a platform to guide younger generations in developing discipline, cultivating respect and fostering unity through sport.
Together with his wife, Yeap Swee Bee, 66, the couple demonstrate that age is no barrier to staying active, productive and contributing to society. Their journey embodies the true meaning of well-being through a healthy lifestyle and ageing with dignity.
Their story reflects the theme of the 2026 National Day and Malaysia Day celebrations, “Malaysia MADANI: Kesejahteraan Dinikmati”, highlighting that well-being is not merely about access to amenities, but also the opportunity to remain active, maintain social connections and contribute to society regardless of age.
For Leong, a Kukkiwon 8th Dan black belt holder who began teaching taekwondo in 1970, success is measured not only by the medals or titles his students win, but also by his ability to shape a generation that is disciplined, respectful, and committed to living harmoniously.
"I started teaching taekwondo when I was 20 years old. The first school where I coached was SMJK (C) Kwang Hwa, with just six students. Subsequently, the number of students grew, and we began teaching at more than 10 schools across Selangor," he told Bernama.
In 2010, he established an official training centre, the Power Sport Taekwondo Club, initially to meet demand from students seeking additional training for competitions. The club later expanded its programmes to the general public.
Over more than five decades as a coach, about 20,000 people have trained under his guidance.
According to Leong, his greatest satisfaction does not come from the number of medals won, but from seeing former students succeed in life and continue to uphold the values of discipline they learned on the mat.
The couple's experience demonstrates that well-being in one's golden years is not simply about receiving care, but also having opportunities to remain healthy and independent, maintain social connections and continue contributing to the community.
Data from the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) indicates that Selangor had approximately 908,500 residents aged 60 and above in 2025, representing 12.3 per cent of the state's total population. The figure highlights the importance of creating an environment that enables senior citizens to lead active and dignified lives.
Efforts in this direction are supported by various government initiatives, including the Senior Citizens Activity Centre (PAWE), health screening programmes for older persons and the RM600 monthly Senior Citizens Assistance for eligible recipients, aimed at helping them remain active within the community.
Leong said one of taekwondo's greatest strengths was its ability to bring together people from different racial backgrounds.
“Malay, Chinese and Indian students train together in harmony, developing bonds that resemble those of a large family.
“During tournaments, they support one another from morning till night. There is no racial divide, as everyone shares the same goal, to learn and become better individuals," he said.
Meanwhile, Yeap, who is also a taekwondo coach and a silver medallist at the 2024 World Poomsae Championships in Hong Kong, said her personal experience had shown how an active lifestyle could have a significant impact on both physical and mental well-being.
Since the club's establishment, Leong and his wife have also helped produce several notable athletes, including Vasugi Maruthamuthu, who won a bronze medal in the taekwondo demonstration event at the 1988 Seoul Olympics.
For Leong, such achievements demonstrate that the values instilled on the mat extend far beyond sport.
He hopes more adults and senior citizens will take part in physical activities such as taekwondo, saying their participation not only helps maintain their health but also inspires younger generations.
"When senior citizens remain active, they prove that a passion for life, unity and lifelong learning knows no age," he said.
-- BERNAMA