Yee posing at his own wall of fame dedicated to all-things Ironman and triathlon races at his Petaling Jaya home. - YEE SZE MUN
Each person’s journey through life is unique; no two people will have the same story as everyone walks a different path to their unique destination. Yet, the stories of these remarkable men are similar: These are individuals who display grit and determination as they compete in and complete the ultimate triathlon race, the Ironman.
These seasoned, age-defying individuals, are driven by an unyielding passion for endurance sports and have crossed the finish line repeatedly.
Their journeys, marked by perseverance, passion, and the relentless pursuit of personal excellence, stand as a testament to the power of determination at any stage of life.
It runs in the family
Running has been a significant part of Jason Thiang’s life for as long as he can remember.
“I’ve been into running since primary school and have always enjoyed competing with my family and friends,” says the 66-year-old regional sales manager from Petaling Jaya, Selangor.
In 1994, Thiang took his passion for running to the next level by joining the Pacesetters Athletic Club, regularly participating in local and overseas events.
Despite decades of competitive running, he craved bigger challenges and more adventure.
“I sought a more exciting and adventurous sport like triathlon, but unfortunately, it only took root in Malaysia in the ‘80s,” Thiang explains.
In 1990, he enrolled in his first triathlon event, the Port Dickson Triathlon, competing in the Olympic distance of a 1.5km swim, 40km bike ride, and 10km run. He fell in love with the sport instantly.
“I liked it. It requires consistent training and a lot of discipline in terms of proper diet, lifestyle, and determination,” says the father of three and grandfather of a one-year-old boy.
Thiang and son, Edwin in a race in 2019. - JASON THIANG
During one of his triathlon races, Thiang met Yee Sze Mun (or Uncle Yee as he is known to many), and the two became fast friends.
When Yee participated in Ironman Langkawi 2000, Thiang brought his family to Langkawi to support his like-minded friend.
“We were with him throughout the entire course, from the swim start in the morning to the bike route at Datai Bay in the afternoon, and finally at the marathon’s finishing line before midnight,” he recalls.
Watching the small-statured Yee muster every ounce of his energy to complete the race made Thiang realise that the Ironman truly is “the toughest race on Earth in a single day”.
“I told myself it would be a nightmare to do an Ironman,” he admits.
However, the idea of racing in an Ironman race lingered, especially as some of his friends began taking on the challenging endurance sport.
It took him nine years to summon up the courage to sign up for Langkawi Ironman 2009. It was a decision he has never regretted.
“When the emcee announced, ‘Jason, you’re an Ironman’, as I crossed the finishing line after 15 hours and 39 minutes, tears rolled down my cheeks. That’s when I understood the meaning of the phrase, ‘Every Ironman finisher is a winner’,” he says.
Father and son, Thiang and Terence during a weekend training for Langkawi 70.3 Half Ironman. - JASON THIANG
To date, Thiang has competed in nine Ironman events, 25 Half Ironman (70.3) competitions, and over 100 Olympic Distance triathlon races locally and abroad.
Some of his most memorable races include the 2012 Ironman Zurich in Switzerland, the 2019 Hawaii 70.3 Half Ironman, and the 2023 Langkawi 70.3 Half Ironman, where he finished second in his age group and qualified for the Ironman 70.3 World Championship in New Zealand this December.
“I still enjoy triathlons, but now I go with reduced mileage and intensity,” he says.
Nevertheless, Thiang still trains six days a week, combining two of the triathlon disciplines each time – swimming, biking, or running.
“Cycling is the most time and energy-consuming of them all,” he notes, “To prepare for an Ironman, we need to log 130-150km, which usually takes six to eight hours.”
To ease the strain of long rides, Thiang trains with friends on weekends, sometimes joined by their children.
His next event on his calendar is the 70.3 Half Ironman Langkawi in October, where he’ll be participating alongside his two sons, Terrence Thiang, 36, and Edwin Thiang, 28.
“Ironman Langkawi has become an annual family event that we look forward to and enjoy,” he shares.
While both sons share his love and passion for triathlons, his youngest son, Edwin, took it a step further by representing Malaysia in triathlon at the 2019 Philippines SEA Games and the 2022 Vietnam SEA Games.
“He started running at five, swimming at seven, and cycling at nine. It’s been a long and arduous journey that demands good discipline, consistent and effective training, and unwavering parental support,” Thiang says.
However, he believes it’s never too late to take up the sport. For those interested, he advises starting with more leisurely and relaxing activities to establish an active workout routine.
“With proper and consistent training, we can make triathlon an enjoyable activity with family and friends,” he concludes.
Ahmad Fadzil continues the sport in honour of his late friend Mohd Zubir. - AHMAD FADZIL SAMSUDIN
Honouring a friendship
Ahmad Fadzil Samsudin, or CK as he is fondly known among friends, began his journey into triathlon in 2005, starting with cycling at the age of 53.
“I was never a sportsman during my school days, but like many corporate employees, I took up golf and enjoyed it for many years,” says the 72-year-old retiree from Kuala Lumpur.
It was his best friend, Mohd Zubir Zainal Abidin, who encouraged him to take up the sport. They were classmates from Methodist Boys School before completing their secondary education at the Royal Military College, and grew closer when they were both studying in the United Kingdom.
Two years later, they signed up for their first triathlon event, the Port Dickson Triathlon 2007, and trained together, participating in a duathlon and several other running events as part of their preparation.
“We even planned to race in the Half Ironman (70.3) and ultimately the Ironman Langkawi, aiming for 2010,” says the father of four and grandfather of five.
Tragically, that first triathlon became Mohd Zubir’s first and last. He didn’t make it to the shore during the 1.5km swim, passing away at just 56.
Nevertheless, Ahmad Fadzil finished his first triathlon in four hours and 10 minutes.
His friend’s untimely death is one of the reasons Ahmad Fadzil continues to participate in endurance activities today.
“I believe he would want me to continue,” he says. Although he didn’t immediately join other triathlon events, he remained active in duathlons and running events the following year.
Ahmad Fadzil with his personal sports therapist, Nur Mashitoh Mukhtar. - AHMAD FADZIL SAMSUDIN
It took nine years for Ahmad Fadzil to return to triathlons, signing up for the Melaka Triathlon in 2016, and a year later, for his first Ironman Langkawi – seven years later than originally planned with his late friend.
Unfortunately, he was declared “Did Not Finish” for exceeding the swim and cycling cut-off time of 10 hours 30 minutes by just one minute and 18 seconds.
“That was the longest 68 seconds of my life,” says Ahmad Fadzil, adding that he was stopped by the organisers after completing the first 18km loop of the running route.
Despite this, he takes pride in having completed about 13 hours of Ironman’s allowed 17-hour course, which includes a 3.8km swim, 180km cycle, and 42.2km marathon.
“The moral of the story is to never take anything for granted,” he says.
Today, Ahmad Fadzil maintains a rigorous training regime: cycling at least 140km per session twice a month, running three times a week with at least two 20km runs a month, and swimming twice a week with at least four open-water sessions at Port Dickson.
“Now, I have a personal therapist who takes care of my body conditioning and strength training,” he adds.
To date, Ahmad Fadzil has completed five triathlons.
While he maintains a healthy diet, he relies on peanut butter sandwiches, isotonic drinks, and oral rehydration salts during training.
“I don’t take energy gels, but instead, I only take dates for an energy boost,” he shares.
He advises those already engaged in endurance activities such as duathlons and triathlons to listen to their bodies and monitor their health with gadgets like smartwatches and monitors.
“But most importantly, they must enjoy the journey,” he concludes.
The Ironman octogenarian
If Ironman athletes were required to conform to a standard physique or stature, Yee Sze Mun wouldn’t stand a chance – he would fail before even trying.
Known affectionately as Uncle Yee among his Ironman peers and crew members, he stands at just 1.57 cm. What’s even more surprising is his age: he’s 87!
But Yee is no ordinary octogenarian, nor is he a one-hit wonder in the Ironman world.
He has completed 11 consecutive Ironman races, with six podium finishes – three firsts, two seconds, and one third. He only missed the bike discipline cut-off by seven minutes on his 12th attempt.
In total, Yee has attempted 21 Ironman races, officially finishing 16 of them, and completed 42 Ironman 70.3s, finishing 37 with 10 podium finishes.
The crowning achievement of his illustrious journey is being named the first inductee into the Ironman Malaysia Hall of Fame.
In addition to these Ironman accolades, Yee has competed in over 100 triathlon races of various distances worldwide, securing first place in the 8th Asian Triathlon Championship in Sokcho City, South Korea, in 1999.
“This is my story of over 30 years in triathlon. Yes, I had a late start – I was 52 when I raced in my first triathlon, PD Triathlon in 1989,” the self-made businessman recalls.
But, Yee didn’t always lead an active lifestyle.
Malaysia’s oldest Ironman, 'Uncle Yee' during his last Ironman race at the Ironman Langkawi 70.3 in Langkawi last year. - YEE SZE MUN
Growing up, he wasn’t into sports or fitness; he only began his journey at the age of 48.
“In my 40s, I had to work very hard to put food on the table to feed six people – my family and my parents. I was an unfit man who had no time and energy for other things beside work,” he recalls.
However, two wake-up calls changed everything. First, an unintended blood test result prompted his doctor to advise him to get off the couch if he wanted to live past 60.
Not happy, he sought a second opinion from a palm reader who told him, “Your lifeline ends at 67.”
“What! I was just 48. I quickly jumped into action, and started to swim, cycle and run regularly until I got addicted to that feel-good hormone that I couldn’t get through a day without a fix of it,” Yee says.
He characterises his three-decade journey of self-improvement in four stages: Progress, addiction, passion, and lifestyle.
“What started as a need to improve gradually became an addiction that drove me to work out six days a week,” he says.
From a couch potato, the regular workouts transformed Yee into a fit, slim, and trim athlete, while the endorphins made him feel better about himself and happier.
“These results fueled my passion for fitness, and now, it’s become my lifestyle, even at this age. Like it or not, I have to go out and sweat it out, even though I can’t go as fast anymore,” he admits.
Despite announcing his retirement from competing in Ironman races at Ironman Langkawi last year, Yee continues to train intensively.
“Well, I am retired from Ironman races but not from the sports, the training,” Yee says.
He trains five days a week, alternating between a 90-minute swim and a 5km run, with either a session of strength training or rehabilitation, depending on his condition.
His goal: the 2025 World Masters Championship, scheduled for May next year. The games is a multi-sport event similar to the Olympics, but for athletes over the age of 35. However, unlike the Olympics, these athletes compete for themselves, without national delegations.
As part of his journey to the championship in Taiwan, the father of two pairs his training regime with a high-protein and low-carb diet.
“Ironman is not a piece of cake, but any Ali, Ah Kaw, and Muthu can become one if they are prepared to sacrifice their time and energy and endure the pain and challenges. Expect the unexpected,” Yee advises.
He suggests that those interested in taking up the sport should start slow, focusing on aerobic workouts for the first few months, alternating days for an hour each time.
“If you feel good and enjoy it, then you can increase the workout volume and mileage by 10 percent progressively each month. Listen to your body, and most importantly, invest in a qualified triathlon coach,” he concludes.
Yee shares his Ironman journeys in his books The Bumblebee in Mee – Living the Ironman Dream and The Unexpected Finisher, available at major bookstores, selected bike shops, fitness and rehab centres, and the sports registration counter at Tropicana Golf Club.
