Kok (second from left) receiving the MBOR certificate from Bong (right) during the presentation ceremony at YMCA Ipoh. With them are Mah and Kok’s wife Constance Choy.
VETERAN educator Thomas Kok has achieved another Malaysia Book of Records (MBOR) feat.
The 77-year-old was recognised for winning first place the most number of times in public race walking events – with 29 first places, including 15 times during Penang Starwalk, five at Ipoh Starwalk and once at the Penang 12-hour Race Walk.
Kok received his certificate from MBOR deputy general manager Aaron Bong during a presentation ceremony at YMCA Ipoh, Perak.
Present was Deputy Education Minister Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon.
Kok, who is YMCA Ipoh secretary, had in January 2021 earned an entry in MBOR for the most number of gold medals bagged in the World Masters Athletics Championships.
He has 22 gold medals for race walking at various international and national events since 1986.
Kok said he had been taking part in race walking events since 1982 when he turned 40.
“It was then that I won first place in the junior veteran category at Penang Starwalk.
“It was through my participation at these events that I learnt the finer techniques of race walking, which have enabled me to take part in the World Master Athletics Championships and World Master Games,” he said.
He enjoyed these mass races because he liked seeing people from all walks of life taking part in the events.
“It’s truly something memorable and it keeps me going,” he added.
However, Kok said race walking competitions had been excluded from public events in recent years.
“I hope that the relevant authorities will consider re-introducing these races to instil the spirit of competitiveness among walkers.
“Race walking is simple, just walk with the knee of the front leg straightened on landing and one foot always in contact with the ground,” he explained.
He hopes to inspire more senior citizens to take up race walking.
“It’s a good challenge to show that there’s no age limit to race walking.
“At our age, many would feel that it’s time to relax but I think we should always challenge ourselves for improvement.
“Seniors can start by going for slow walks, then proceed to do a bit of power or brisk walking,” he suggested.
Kok walks every evening without fail.
“Sometimes, I also walk in the morning for about an hour,” he said, emphasising that walking was good for health.
He expressed hope that more schools, especially teachers, would encourage their students to join mass sporting events.
“Children nowadays are so engrossed with their smartphones or video games.
“Teachers should get their students to participate in walking events,” he added.
