KUALA LUMPUR, June 13 — Malaysian weightlifting legend William Yeo Hap Ee passed away on Friday morning after losing a four-year battle with leukaemia aged 77.
The former national weightlifter was a powerhouse in the 1970’s, winning silver at the 1971 Seap Games in Kuala Lumpur, before clinching gold in the 1977 Kuala Lumpur edition. He followed it up with bronze in 1979 (Jakarta) and 1981 (Manila) respectively.
William’s finest moment came in 1993 when he powered to gold at the 1993 Afro-Asia Oceania Weightlifting Championships in Perth, Australia.
The Sarawakian, who also was the national Paralympic coach may have been a big presence on stage, but off it he was down to earth and a well liked man.
“Some coaches preferred to have their own style and do things on their own, but William was different. He never made a fuss and was always calm,” said former Malaysia Weightlifting Federation (MWF) president Zafarul Kassim, whose sentiments were echoed by the association’s technical officer Peter Yeoh Keat Chye.
“William was a kind person. He always made time for you and was motivated to get Malaysian into the Olympics,” said Peter.
The 1972 and 1978 Sarawak Sportsman of the Year, also trained his son Edmund to gold at the 2001 SEA Games.
“The reasons he stayed in the sport all his life was because he wanted to see his son achieve greatness. He never lost his temper and was one of the most patient guys around. He will be sorely missed,” said MWF secretary Pang Siew Huat.
William, who was inducted into the National Athletes Welfare Foundation (Yakeb) Hall of Fame leaves behind wife Lilian Law, sons Michael, Daniel, Edmund and daughter Angelina.
He was laid to rest in his hometown Kuching yesterday.
