WITH 11 national events this year and a record-breaking international finale, the Race Walkers Association of Malaysia (RWAM) is seeking broader corporate support to elevate the country’s race-walking ecosystem.
The walking events across Malaysia comprised two walk clinics and nine competitive circuits in Melaka, Penang and Kuala Lumpur.
The year’s highlight, the Junior Development Programme (JDP) 2025 grand finale was held at Stadium Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia (UPNM) in Sungai Besi, Kuala Lumpur.
Spanning three circuits, the programme attracted 80 young athletes from Negri Sembilan, Pahang, Melaka, Selangor and Kuala Lumpur.
They competed in the Under-9, U-12, U-15 and Open categories for both boys and girls, underscoring RWAM’s mission to nurture the next generation of race walkers through structured development.
Adding international flair to the finale, Kento Akamine from Japan joined the event to celebrate the shared spirit of passion, perseverance and sportsmanship.
Akamine made a strong impression by setting a new JDP record in the Open 5km category, clocking 00:22:08 and earning RM800 in prize money.
RWAM president Tan Sri Eddy Chen Lok Loi said Akamine’s participation not only elevated the level of competition but also strengthened the association’s growing international ties within the race-walking community.
Chen credited the success of this year’s programme to collaboration with MKH Bhd (the official partner) and Nestle Malaysia (the official sponsor).
“Their contributions, from event sponsorship and athlete support to race-day refreshments, fostered an environment that celebrated teamwork, inclusivity and youth development in athletics,” he said.
Chen also called for broader support from both the public and private sectors to sustain the sport’s development.
“Race walking embodies endurance, precision and discipline, values that mirror what we strive for as a nation.
“To continue nurturing this spirit, we welcome more corporate partners to come on board.
“Together, we can provide the necessary resources, exposure and motivation for our young athletes to achieve excellence, both locally and internationally,” he added.
Separately, RWAM founder and deputy president Khoo Chong Beng highlighted the association’s ongoing mission to elevate the sport’s ecosystem in Malaysia.
“This year has proven that the passion for race walking is alive and growing.
“We’ve witnessed tremendous progress from our junior athletes and the dedication of their coaches and parents.
“Moving forward, RWAM aims to enhance our technical training programmes, introduce more structured coaching pathways and build stronger collaborations with schools and sports councils,” said Khoo.
He added that RWAM remains committed to driving youth development, expanding nationwide participation and solidifying Malaysia’s position in the international race walking arena.
