When people said education and sports won't get along, he proved it wrong. It's rare for a professional athelete to become another professional i.e doctor, accountant. lawyer or engineer.
While burning up the track, he also graduated as a medical doctor – earning him the famous nickname of “the Flying Doc”.
With his courage and dream, Jegathesan has become a successful Malaysian personality in sports and in medicine – he has won both the National Sportsman award and the National Scientist award.
His quote;“You do not win races with money in your pocket but you win it with courage in your heart and a dream in your head.”
He held the national record for the 100m event in 10.3s and made the most fastest runner in Asia during the Asia Games in 1966 (now held by Nazmizan Mohamad at 10.29s).
His achievement made him to the semi finals for the Olympics 1964 (Tokyo) and 1968 (Mexico) in the 200m event. His 200M is yet to be broken till to date.
He achieve gold in the 400m, 200m and 4X400m in the SEAP Games 1961, 1962 and 1966.
A lot of questions appearing in my mind. There will be another Dr Jega appear in national athletic arena in future? Can anyone as Malaysian talented to equivalent the achievement of him? Why after few decades Malaysia still unable to produce the athletes that capable as him?
1 comment:
thats because today's athletes compete for Cash & personal glory first. in the 60s, athletes compete to bring glory to the country . .. sad but true
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