Rory Thor Chuan Leong and Coach Leong Jen Hur (J.H.Leong)
China Press.Com
September 28, 2009 17:54
Thrusting forward to reach new high
Story of how a rebellious youth turned a new leaf
Exclusive Interview by Chen Jinwei 陳錦偉
Photographer: Cen Jia Hao 岑家豪
Eyeing on the impending South East Asia Game,
Rory Thor Chuan Leong 涂振龍 immersed in training, targeting gold
Q:What were you doing when you were 14 years old?
Did you have rebellious days, going in and out of snooker檯球 centers? Here is a story, telling you that amid the myths of being breeding ground of rebellious youths, snooker centers have nurtured the talent of a young man.
Rory is 21, from Butterworth, Penang. At 14, he used to hang around snooker centers like many other boys, in somewhat rebellious spirit.
Fortunately, his father knew it was possible to succeed even in snookering. Rory was also inspired by the improving skills of his friends, to become someone in the world of snookers.
“I moved around from one snooker center to the another, watching how winners played. I also watched how international players played on video recordings. I was determined to make a name for myself, my family, and my country, in the world.”
Dashing From Butterworth to Kuala Lumpur
After much hard work, Rory made a name at 17 when he won a gold in the Malaysia Youth Championship for the under-21. He was subsequently recruited into the national team by the National Sports Council.
He went alone from Butterworth to Kuala Lumpur, with eyes above his head. Soon he found himself with no friends in the new place.
“During that time, I thought of myself too highly, believing that I could beat anybody in the world. I didn’t think anybody who was not as skillful as me could teach me anything. At that time, I was training under Sam Chong Tim Sam and I was not happy. I was constantly absent from training and even at training, I would not take it seriously.”
That eventually brought to his dispel from the national team. It was a heavy hit on Rory. However, he could not give up his love of snooker. He found a job in a snooker center, working and training at the same time. But there was no chance of competing in games outside the center.
Life went on until one day, he was discovered by Coach Leong Jen Hur （梁任和） all over.
“Coach Leong said even though I was talented, I was foul-tempered and was too impulsive. I used to shut my ears to any such disciplinary nags. It was strange, but maybe fated also, that I was able to get along with Coach Leong. I switched to training under him.”
Foul-tempered and Impulsive
Coach Leong picked not on his skills, but rather in his basic sportsmanship. In the training center, Rory had to do everything for himself after training, like cleaning up and smoothen the snooker table. Slowly, he tamed his temper and learned to be humble, about his skills and in dealing with people.
So the converted Rory re-emerged in competitions. He won one after another in national games. The tip was reached when he won the Malaysia Open Championship at age 21 this year. With that award, he was called to represent Malaysia in the SEA Game to be held in Laos at the end of this year.
“I mostly want to thank my fans, my family and my coach. I was too young and ignorant and had hurt many people. I have changed under Coach Leong. I now have fans. I am deeply moved by their support. Because of them, I have made myself today.”
“My future is not a dream. I shall succeed winning Gold from SEA.”
Coach Leong Jen Hur (left) spotted the potential in Rory and decided to bring it out fully. Both are working hard to win more cups and awards.
“I definitely want to clinch gold for Malaysia in the coming SEA game in Laos.”
In this plan for the future, Rory not only wants to prove more positively for himself, but also to shine higher in the world of snooker.
“I wish to keep my standard up and to take part in Asia Game and other international competitions.”
The young Rory has started his own classes to train others with his skills built up in 8 years since he started snookering. Many sport centers are also inviting him to be their trainer. Rory will be using such income received, together with the sponsorship from Coach Leong to support himself in the SEA game.
Snookering, has all the while, been regarded as a bad boys’ sport. You can’t be a very good boy if you play snooker. This story of Rory tells you that there is future in snookering. The game is nowadays viewed as a healthy sport.
“I hope to change the public’s view on snookering. I hope many more people would join the game.”
Looking at the beaming face of Rory and moved by his frankness, I question the stereotyping of bad youths in snookering. Rory impresses me as a striving young man and I see a rising star in snooker game in Malaysia.
Profile of Rory Thor Chuan Leong涂振龍
Date of birth: March 24th, 1988
Family: father, mother, 2 sisters
Hobbies: Swimming, singing
Acheivements :
Malaysian National Snooker Junior (Under 21) Championship – Champion
Malaysian National Snooker Championship – 2008 – Runner up
Rampai Snooker Championship 2009 – Champion
Piala Merdeka Snooker Championship (Terrenganu) – Champion/Highest Break
Malaysian National Snooker Championship – 2009 – Champion