If you knew Thaddeus Chong or has read about him or has come to this blog because of him, PLEASE click here to read an entry dedicated to him and leave a comment so that people will remember him forever.

I know it’s a bit stupid to update my blog in the midst of block tests because nobody will have the time to read my post and those who do read will not have the time to leave a comment.

But this afternoon when I was reading newspapers in our hostel’s office, I came upon this shocking news report “Teen triathlete collapses and dies after race”.

For those who do not know what a “triathele” is, it basically means

“a competitor in a triathlon”

(from Dictionary.com).

And for those who do not know what a “triathlon” is, it basically means

“an athletic contest comprising three consecutive events, usually swimming, bicycling, and distance running”

(also from Dictionary.com).

And for those who do not know what a “teen” is , it basically means

“a teenager”

(again from Dictionary.com).

And in this case, it means a teenager from Raffles Junior College.

Now you understand why I posted this entry. Someone from RJC just died.

Ya, I know HCI and RJC are like South and North Koreas, or Angelina Jolie and Jennifer Aniston. But when I read the news report, I actually felt very sad and depressed. He looks cute in the picture. And he was younger than me. Life is so unfair.

He shouldn’t have died when someone older than him is still alive.

I guess I will continue to dislike RJC in the future, either covertly or overtly. After all, I am a true Hwachongian. But I guess it will take very long before I can talk about RJC without thinking about this 17-year-old boy who died in the process of pursuing his dream.

His name was Thaddeus Cheong. Let’s all remember it.

P.S.: I think I did very badly for today’s GP compre which was about “investigative journalism”. Maybe that was another reason why I felt so sad when I read the newspapers.

Teen triathlete collapses and dies after race

A PROMISING teenage triathlete collapsed after crossing the finish line in a South-east Asia Games selection race yesterday and died soon after.

Thaddeus Cheong, 17, a first-year student at Raffles Junior College, had just swum 1.5km, cycled 40km and run 10km at Changi.
He clocked a personal best of 2hr 9min, and came in third. Then he collapsed.

The boy’s parents, George and Angeline Cheong, both 46, were present and rushed to their elder son. Their younger boy, Thomas, 13, is also a triathlon enthusiast.

Mrs Cheong told The Straits Times last night: ‘We did not know his heart had stopped beating. We kept calling him, but there was no answer.’

Thaddeus was unconscious and foaming at the mouth when he was taken to Changi General Hospital (CGH). Doctors were unable to resuscitate him and pronounced him dead at 10.55am.

Police have classified it as a case of unnatural death, and a coroner’s inquiry will be held.

Family members, team-mates and friends were in shock as news of the teen’s death spread yesterday.

By afternoon, his school and church friends had started posting messages of grief online in their blogs.

Yesterday’s SEA Games trial was the first of two to decide the two men and two women triathletes to represent Singapore in the year-end regional sports meet.

Thaddeus was among eight men and three women who started the race at about 6.45am at the Tanah Merah Country Club’s swimming pool.

Triathlon Association of Singapore senior executive and assistant national coach Jerry Seah said Thaddeus looked confident, happy and ready to go before the flag-off.

Participant Sikhander Singh, who finished sixth behind Thaddeus, said: ‘He looked fresh throughout the race. I had never seen him look better on the run.

‘It was his best year so far in his triathlon career. I am very sad to see him go.’

Describing her son as an achiever, Mrs Cheong said: ‘When he wanted something, he would work hard to get it.’

He was so keen to book a SEA Games slot that he had doubled his training stints to twice daily during the school holidays.

Raffles JC’s cross-country teacher-in-charge, Mr Tay Meng Kiat, said: ‘He was a very good child and well-liked by his team-mates.’

College principal Winston Hodge said: ‘We are shocked and deeply saddened by Thaddeus’ sudden passing, and our hearts and thoughts are with his family and friends.’

Among those who paid tribute online was a boy named Yao Khuan, who said they had been friends since Primary 5.

He wrote on his blog: ‘Thaddeus, if you can hear me…I’d like to tell you that you’re the coolest guy, and that I’ve always looked up to you, and I hope that it is a better place in heaven.’

Mrs Cheong said: ‘Thaddeus is a very, very good boy. He is every mother’s dream. He is a no-nonsense person, will tell you what he means, short and sharp and quickly.

‘But now, he has just left without saying goodbye.’

jwang@sph.com.sg
huichieh@sph.com.sg