Kota Kinabalu: Sabah’s top karate referee Johnny Chong announced his retirement from the sport on Sunday.
The 60-year-old, who had earlier this year stepped down as Sabah Karate Association (SKA) referee council chairman, said it is the right time to pass the baton to his successor Alex Lim after more than three decades as an international referee for the country.
He started as a Malaysia Karate Federation (Makaf) referee in 1993 and qualified as an Asian Karate Federation (AKF) referee in 1997 before acquiring the World Karate Federation (WKF) licence in 1999, and he was also the first Sabahan to become a WKF kata judge in 2018.
“There is no special reason for my retirement although the latest rule allowed one to serve after (reaching) 60, if deemed fit.
“I believe my decision to follow the old rule will give a better chance for my successor to have a longer time to serve at the top as well as setting an example to other younger referees to look forward to. After all, I have served long enough in SKA and Makaf.
“I am also pleased to see my successor Alex Lim from Sandakan taking over my 18-year chairmanship in the referee council, with which I now served as an advisor,” he added.
Johnny, who originally hails from Kudat, also excelled in the sport before starting his refereeing career.
He was the national kumite champion from 1986-1995 and captured both kumite and kata titles in 1988.
He won the gold medal twice at the SEA Games in Manila 1991 and 1993 in Singapore, and delivered two AKF Championships bronze medals in 1993 and 1995.
He had also represented the country in the WKF Championships events in 1986, 1988, 1992, 1994 and was voted Sabah Sportsman of the Year three times in 1991, 1993 and 1995.
