SHE swapped her karate gi (a traditional uniform worn by karate exponents) for yukata and coolly walked away with the Miss Penang Bon Odori 2024 crown at the Penang Bon Odori Festival held at the Esplanade on July 27.
Madeline Wong Mei Ge, a 22-year-old student at TAR University of Management and Technology (TAR UMT), was all smiles when she was announced as the winner, experiencing double joy having earlier picked up the Miss Photogenic title.
Misaki Woo emerged as the first runner-up and Angeline Tan Ying Ying as the second runner-up.
Just about three weeks ago, Madeline represented Malaysia in the 21st ASEAN University Games held in Surabaya-Malang, Indonesia. She won a silver medal in the team kata alongside Lebin Ph’ng, a fellow TAR UTM student, and Lim Hui Ling, a student from Management & Science University (Penang).
Asked why she participated in the beauty contest, Madeline said she wanted to try something different from karate after having been involved in the Japanese martial arts for over 10 years.
“You need to be tough in karate as it is a demanding physical and mental sport. But you need to be gentle as a beauty pageant participant.
“So, I did some research by watching how participants walk and pose wearing kimonos on YouTube,” said Madeline, who was encouraged to take part in the Miss Penang Bon Odori contest by a friend (Kojiro Yong’s) mother, Miwako.
As a little girl, Madeline was always interested in sports, especially football. Unsurprisingly, her idol is the Argentine legend Lionel Messi.
“I wanted to become a professional athlete, but not sure in which sport. My father said to choose one that does not require me to keep changing shoes because I was growing up. I have no regrets about picking up karate during my primary education.
“It was tough in the beginning. Even in the first few weeks, I could not do one push-up, and my body hurt the next day after training.
“However, looking at my seniors, many of whom were medallists and trained earnestly with a goal in mind, made me stay in the sport.
“And I am glad that over the decade in the sport, I have made a lot of friends, including from many other countries.”
One championship she vividly remembers is the 2017 Asian Karate Championships in Kazakhstan where she won a silver medal in team kata, together with Mabel Robless, and Kwok Wen Chi.
Her school grades at Penang Chinese Girls High School were beginning to drop due to her time spent in training and competition, worrying her mother, Chuah Lee Lian, but not her father, Wong Khiong Vong.
“I have a super supportive father. He told my mum to let me go and participate in the championship,” recalled Madeline.
In 2018, Madeline represented Penang in her first Sukma in team kata and managed to win a silver medal together with Ashley Toh and Kwon Wen Chi.
Her older sister, Amanda Wong Shing Ning, 28, has been her biggest inspiration throughout her journey.
“She studied hard and managed to get a scholarship to study at UCL (University College London). She was a role model for me, showing me that if you are good at something, go for it.
“Although we’re not rich, we can get to travel a lot by working hard. Through sport, I too, got the opportunity for exposure in several countries.”
As the Miss Penang Bon Odori winner, Madeline received a mock cheque for RM1,500 and a trophy from the state Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Wong Hon Wai, and was crowned by the 2019 champion Jacqueline Tung.
She also received a 3D2N accommodation stay at Lyf Georgetown, due to operate in Penang soon, and a 5D3N trip to Hainan for 2 pax sponsored by Golden Success Holiday.
Asked if success may get into her head, Madeline wisely said: “No, I don’t think so. Karate is a disciplined sport and we learn from our sensei that the more success one attains, the more humble one should be.
“I don’t think I will participate in other beauty contests. I am 1.63m (5’ 3”) tall and generally contestants are taller.
“If I had not won the title, I would have tried again. As a black belt karateka, you know losing matches is not the end of the world. It just makes you stronger to try again.”
Madeline is one of the many state and national karate students trained by the dedicated couple, Ku Jin Keat and Lim Lee Lee.
Madeline is expected to soon graduate, now in her last semester of international business. So, what is her ambition?
“I would like to join PDRM (Royal Malaysia Police). I want to work with the people and serve the country,” she said proudly.
The Miss Penang Bon Odori turned out to be a great success.
Organising chairperson Angie Yoko Lim said over 20 participants registered for the contest and after the screening, 13 were shortlisted to take part in the preliminary round at 1st Avenue.
She added that the eight contestants who qualified for the final round were judged based on criteria including Yukata wearing, Japanese walk presentation, opening group Bon Odori dance movements, self-introduction, and Q&A session.
“We also invited previous winners of Miss Penang Bon Odori, Jacqueline Tung, and Miss Yukata, Giimmy Siah, to guide the contestants in walking while wearing the Yukata. It is not easy, especially to walk wearing the Japanese clogs,” said Lim.
Subsidiary titles were also presented at the pageant, with Adele Khor adjudged as Miss Talent, Angeline Tan as Miss Elegant, and Misaki as Miss Ambassador.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Siew Chia En, and courtesy of Madeline Wong and Oh Kha Shen