By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Attributing their success to their master late Stephan Leong, two prominent karatekas of the State — Linza Fenny Syiem and Damang Syngkon — have pledged to uphold the legacy of their master.
“He (late Leong) contributed his whole life to popularize karate throughout the State. The best way to pay our tribute to this great legend is to continue our effort in making this game more popular,” Linza, who is also a State karate coach, said on Monday a day after Leong passed away.
“He was more than a teacher to everyone who received their training under him. His contribution towards the sport has been enormous. I personally feel that karate would not have been so popular if it was not for his efforts,” Linza said, adding, “The void caused by his death might never be filled again.”
Linza also attributed her achievements to her late master.
“It was because of our late master’s efforts that Meghalaya got its first international gold medal in karate,” Damang, who was also trained under late Leong, said.
“He had the unique quality of bringing out the best from any athlete,” said Damang, a four-time national champion and gold medalist in the men’s 50 kg category at the 8th SAF Games.
Besides Daman and Linza, another nationally acclaimed karateka Bans-hanlang Kharu-mnuid, who also trained under late Leong, had fond memories of his late master.
“I began training under him since the age of nine. He treated everybody as his own children. I attribute my success to my master. I would have been nothing if it was not for his guidance,” Banshanlang said.
Master Leong, who had contributed to karate for 30 years, is seen as the guiding force behind Meghalaya’s successes in the physical sport.
Leong, who founded the All Meghalaya Karate-Do Association in 1981, took up martial arts as a career in 1973. After nine years of training, he went to Singapore and Malaysia for further training and obtained his 1st Dan Black Belt in karate.
From 1976 onwards, he started imparting training to students while sharpening his skills with the ambition of achieving higher goals.
He was also a holder of the 4th Dan Black Belt in Shotokan Karate awarded by the Japan Karate Association, and 5th Dan Black Belt in Karate awarded by the All India Karate-Do Federation (AIKF) which is recognised by the World Karate Federation (WKF).
As a keen karate practitioner and dedicated instructor, Leong had trained many karatekas of the Northeast in general and Meghalaya in particular, nurturing several national champions and even world champions.
Leong had also participated in the International Karate Open championship held at Kuala Lumpur in 1984 besides partaking in several championships as coach/official in various countries. He was also appointed as coach of the Indian contingent for the 8th Shoto World Cup held at Tokyo in September 2000.
Besides his role in Meghalaya, late Leong has also been associated with state karate associations in other Northeastern states like Nagaland, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh.
Till his death, Leong was the karate coach at the Sports Authority of India, Shillong.
He was also bestowed with the U Kiang Nangbah award for excellence in sports by the Meghalaya Government in 2003.
Several organizations have condoled Leong’s demise.
SAI Training Centre, Shillong, FKJGP, Meghalaya Swimmers’ Association, Mawkhar Dorbar Shnong and the Meghalaya Fencing Association also condoled his death.
His mortal remains would be laid to rest at the Chinese cemetery in Them Mawbah on Tuesday at 2 pm.