Starting late did not stop Deon Chin Jzi Jey and You Jia Yi from making their mark at the MBW Junior Taekwondo Championship 2026, where they brought home three medals.
Deon Chin Jzi Jey and You Jia Yi competed in the Poomsae category at the MBW Junior Taekwondo Championship 2026, bringing home one gold, one silver, and one bronze medal.
Competing in the Poomsae category, where athletes are assessed on accuracy, strength, balance, and overall presentation, Jia Yi secured a bronze medal. At the same time, Deon won gold in her category before advancing to the “Best of the Best” round, where she went on to earn a silver medal. Both only began taking Taekwondo more seriously after joining the University, making their results all the more meaningful.
“I wanted to practise Taekwondo when I was younger, but my grandparents didn’t allow me to,” Deon said.
Deon Chin Jzi Jey during her performance in the “Best of the Best” round, where she secured a silver medal after advancing from her category.
“Before MCO, I wanted to join Muay Thai, but because of COVID, I didn’t manage to join any classes. When I started college, Taekwondo was the only martial arts club available, so I thought, why not give it a try?”
Jia Yi had been interested in Taekwondo since secondary school, but only had the chance to pursue it later.
“I used to watch Taekwondo videos quite often, but I didn’t have the chance to learn it at that time,” she said. When she arrived at the University and came across the Taekwondo club, she decided to give it a try and continued after enjoying the experience. She added that she was drawn to the sport for its dynamic style, particularly the kicking techniques, which suited her more than other martial arts.
Preparing for the competition required discipline, especially with limited training time. Jia Yi shared that she trained mostly on her own at home, watching videos and using whatever time she had outside of classes to improve her techniques. It was not always easy, but it helped her stay consistent and gradually build confidence in her performance.
For Deon, training was just as much about initiative as it was about time. “Sometimes it’s just the two of us finding a space to practise,” she said. “We have to fit our schedules when we’re both free. Since training is only once a week, it can be difficult, so we make the most of our time together.” Their shared effort not only helped them prepare but also strengthened their support for one another.
The competition itself brought a different set of challenges. After winning gold in her category, Deon had to perform again in the “Best of the Best” round with little time to recover. “I had already given 100% in the first round, and then I had to go again with almost no break,” she said. Managing stamina became critical, especially when each performance required the same level of precision and control.
The competition required participants to perform simultaneously, adding pressure as athletes had to maintain focus and control despite differences in pace.
The format added further pressure, as two participants were required to perform simultaneously. Differences in pace could easily affect concentration and rhythm. “When your opponent is faster, you can get nervous,” Deon explained. Staying focused meant being aware of the surroundings while still maintaining control over each movement.
Despite this, both athletes kept their attention on their own performance. Jia Yi said she tried not to compare herself too much with others and instead concentrated on doing her best. During her performance, she stayed as calm as possible and gave her full effort, focusing on executing each move with control.
The experience has encouraged both to continue improving. Jia Yi plans to take part in future competitions, seeing each opportunity as a chance to gain more experience. Deon, meanwhile, is looking ahead to trying sparring for the first time, ready to challenge herself in a new area of the sport. “I’ll give my best to win again,” she said.
What began as a shared interest has gradually become something more purposeful, shaped by discipline, consistency, and the time they have spent training side by side