{
  "id": 2267044,
  "title": "Taekwondo coach still alive and kicking at 71",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/21/taekwondo-coach-still-alive-and-kicking-at-71",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-21T00:45:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today-freemalays",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/leisure/2026/08/21/taekwondo-coach-still-alive-and-kicking-at-71"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Leong Yong Wah, a 71-year-old taekwondo coach, remains active and engaged in his profession. Married to Yeap Swee Bee, also a taekwondo coach, the couple dedicates their time to teaching and fostering discipline, respect, and confidence in their students. Leong, a 8th Dan black belt holder, started coaching in 1970 and has since taught over 20,000 individuals across Selangor. He currently serves as the head coach at the Power Sport Taekwondo Club, which has expanded its programs to the wider public. Leong emphasizes the importance of teaching beyond physical fitness, highlighting the values of unity and lifelong learning. His wife's achievements, including a silver medal at the 2024 World Poomsae Championships, further exemplify the couple's shared passion for taekwondo. Together, they have mentored notable athletes, such as Vasugi Maruthamuthu, who won bronze at the 1988 Seoul Olympics.",
  "summary": "Leong Yong Wah continues to teach, train and pass on the discipline that has shaped more than five decades of his life.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Taekwondo coach still alive and kicking at 71",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/21/taekwondo-coach-still-alive-and-kicking-at-71-2270301",
        "published": "2026-08-21T00:45:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}