The walk Vegi still wants to finish
S Vegiyathuman, an 85-year-old former athletics official in Malaysia, is working to regain his ability to walk following a spinal cord injury. Despite his current confinement to a wheelchair and the recent loss of his wife, he remains determined to fulfill a promise to her.
Why it matters
This human-interest story highlights the resilience of a man who significantly contributed to the development of sports and community events in Malaysia.
Former Federal Territory Athletics Association president S Vegiyathuman, 85, sits in his wheelchair at an assisted-living facility, where he is determined to fulfil a promise to his late wife by walking again.
PETALING JAYA: For decades, S Vegiyathuman’s life was measured in kilometres.
There were the roads taken over by the Malay Mail Big Walk, the Sunday runs that drew thousands to city parks and the races that gave ordinary Malaysians a chance to test themselves against the clock
Today, at 85, he measures distance differently.
It is the space between his wheelchair and the next step he hopes to take.
The man once known as the King of Walks and Runs is now wheelchair-bound after a spinal cord injury. He lives in an assisted-living facility, where, until recently, his wife, Anathaletchumy, lived alongside him.
She died recently.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in