In Memory of 1966 Commonwealth Games Gold Medallist Chung Kum Weng (1934 – 2025)

British Weight Lifting (BWL) is saddened to learn of the passing of 1966 Commonwealth Games Gold Medallist Chung Kum Weng, aged 90.

Weng was born in Ipoh, Malaysia on 15 May 1934 and he quickly formed a reputation as a talented featherweight weightlifter in his birth country.

He made his Commonwealth debut at the 1958 Games representing Malaysia and won the silver medal lifting 306kg in total.  The Games were held in Cardiff and indeed, would go on to have a huge impact on Weng’s life. He formed such a strong connection to Wales during his time there that he then settled in the country and took up a job as a bus driver to fund his training.

Sadly, he was forced to miss the 1962 Commonwealth Games but continued to compete Internationally for Malaysia competing at the 1960 and 1964 Olympic Games where he finished 10th and 11th.

However, Weng was keen to support his new nation where possible and he played a part in the Great Britain versus Bulgaria International friendly match hosted in Tottenham on 3 December 1963.  The event which was set up by IWF General Secretary Oscar State and featured some of the best up-and-coming lifters from across both nations.

Weng then entered the 1964 British Championships held at the Crystal Palace National Sports Centre which also served as Great Britain’s Tokyo Olympic Trials. While only competing in the domestic division, he found himself sharing the platform with 4 x World Champion Louis Martin and fellow Commonwealth Medallists Mike Pearman, Sylvanus Blackman and George Manners.

Once eligible to represent Wales he made up for lost time by winning Gold at the 1966 Commonwealth Games lifting 337kg. He later competed for Great Britain in the World Championships and finished 7th in 1970 with an all-time career total of 340kg to sign off in style.

BWL extends its sincere condolences to the family of Chung Kum Weng, as well as to Weightlifting Wales, Commonwealth Games Wales, National Olympic Committee of Malaysia and the Malaysian Weightlifting Federation.