US-based runner Denise Chen’s golden Malaysian homecoming

KUALA LUMPUR: At just five years old, Denise Chen Jie Yi was already running alongside her father at events in the United States. Twenty years later, she has returned to Malaysia to claim glory on the track. The US-based distance runner secured two gold medals at the Malaysia Games, or Sukma, held at Universiti Putra Malaysia Stadium in Serdang.

On Wednesday, Denise shattered the women’s 10,000m Games record, clocking 39:47.28. The previous record had stood at 40:37.98 since 2024. The day before, she claimed victory in the 1,500m with a time of 4:50.15, outpacing S Geetha of Johor by more than four seconds. Her medals are undoubtedly impressive, but Denise’s journey is far more compelling.

She arrived in Malaysia on August 13 without the intention of competing at her peak for the Games. Her races were merely conditioning for the upcoming US cross-country season, which commences next month. Her father, Chen Li-Hung, was the one who initiated the connection with the Federal Territories Athletics Association (FTAA), enabling her participation at the Games.

The FTAA president, V Pulainthiran, and treasurer, Syamsul Bani, played crucial roles in facilitating her entry. Denise’s performance at the 10,000m was her second race in that distance; the 1,500m was her second this year. "I wasn’t even at my peak since I hadn’t competed in many races back in America," she acknowledged after the 10,000m.

"I didn’t anticipate breaking the Games record, as I wasn’t certain about the strength of the other athletes." Her performance in the early stages of the 10,000m race allowed her to take the lead and maintain it. This breakthrough indicates the level of competition she has encountered in the United States. Denise began her serious running journey at the age of eight, when her father enrolled her in a youth running club in Los Angeles.

She initially focused on cross-country before building a strong record in the American school and collegiate systems. Chen, who grew up in Klang and was a distance runner at Chung Hua school, moved to the United States and continues to run and co-organize cross-country races there. Denise’s path to success began with her father’s introduction to the sport he cherished, ultimately shaping her athletic career.

Her progression took her from California’s high school cross-country circuit to Claremont McKenna College, where she majors in Integrated Sciences and Public Policy. She achieved personal bests of 4:38.46 in the 1,500m and 17:35.71 in the 5,000m before her Sukma triumphs. Prior to her Sukma breakthrough, Denise had built her endurance on the competitive American cross-country circuit.

Her American experience has undoubtedly shaped more than just her times. "The US is a very competitive environment that taught me discipline and respect," she reflected. "However, I was uncertain about what to expect in Malaysia." Now, she has discovered that answer. "I am honored to have been given this opportunity to race here for the first time.

It has been an amazing experience," she expressed. Having her father by her side has made the moment even more special. "It feels special because this is where my dad grew up, and he was the one who introduced me to running," she shared. The father-daughter duo, both engineers, paid for Denise’s trip to Malaysia and were present for her two victories.

Chen, the father, noted that the heat and humidity did not affect Denise, as she had trained in Tennessee, where similar conditions prevail. Her homecoming has also highlighted another aspect of Malaysian athletics. FTAA has previously facilitated the rise of UK-based Kristian Tung, who won the 1,500m, 5,000m, and 10,000m in the previous Sukma before representing Malaysia at the SEA Games in Thailand.

Denise’s appearance has reinforced the belief that Malaysian distance running talent exists overseas and deserves proper exposure. Pulainthiran, a former national distance champion, emphasized the need for a more systematic approach to identifying and supporting Malaysian athletes abroad. "We should find a way to widen the talent pool and ensure that Malaysian athletes who develop overseas remain connected to the national program," he stated.

FTAA recognizes Denise and her father’s achievements and will continue to provide support as she continues her cross-country season in the United States. Her immediate focus is the upcoming season, while she contemplates the possibility of representing Malaysia at next year’s SEA Games.