Ng Joo Pong

Malaysian cyclist Ng Joo Pong was 12-years-old when he got his first bike, made out of scrap iron, before getting a proper racing bike six months later. Ng soon began to compete in races, winning the 1963 Malaya Open Championships when he was only 17. That same year he also won bronze in the individual time trial at the Asian Cycling Championships in Kuala Lumpur. These performances earned him a place on the Olympic team for the 1964 Games in Tokyo, where he competed on both the road and track. Ng placed 32nd with his compatriots in the team time trial as well as 24th in the track time trial.

In 1968 Ng was involved in an accident during the Gold Leaf race when he collided with a lorry. Despite breaking his jaw and losing a couple of teeth, he was able to continue and went on to win the race. That same year he made his second appearance at the Olympics, this time riding in the road race at the Mexico City Games. Two years later he won bronze in the 10 km race at the Asian Games in Bangkok. After retiring Ng sold lorries for a living, in addition to working part-time as a taxi driver. He later suffered a stroke, however, and spent several years bedridden.