james wong discus comeback sea games

James Wong in competition at the 74th Singapore Open T&F Championship. The 44-year-old has decided to come out of retirement to make another SEA Games attempt. (Photo © Jervis Mun. Courtesy of SAA)

 

Singapore, Monday, February 25, 2013 — National discus record holder James Wong, 44, has decided to reverse his decision to call time on competitive throwing by attempting to qualify for this year’s 27th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Myanmar.

James had announced his retirement after the Palembang SEA Games in 2011 and is currently the general manager of the Singapore Athletic Association.

On his motivation for the comeback, James said: “To be the best SEA athlete in a single event, winning the most gold medals, inspired me to make this comeback.”

Being all of 44 years means James will have to make some adjustments to his training.

“I just have to train harder, rather than just train. I have to push the intensity and also be more focused, and of course, make things happen when it counts,” added James.

To get the nod for the Myanmar SEA Games, James will have to meet the qualifying mark of 50.28m, the third place distance at the 2011 SEA Games. The furthest he has thrown this year is 47.45m.

James set the national discus record of 59.87m in May 1999 at a meet in Germany.

James, then 42, won gold in the discus final at the Palembang SEA Games with a throw of 51.32m.

It was his 10th SEA Games gold. He has nine discus gold medals and one hammer gold.