Lee Jia Rong, an alumna of APU and National Wushu athlete, made history with two gold and one silver medal at the World Wushu Championships in Brazil. Balancing studies and sport, she credits APU’s support for helping her succeed. Despite injuries and a tight schedule, her passion and discipline kept her going. She aims to continue representing Malaysia and hopes to guide future athletes in the years ahead.

Lee Jia Rong, an alumna of the Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) and a National Wushu athlete, has made history by winning two gold medals and one silver at the prestigious World Wushu Championships held in Brasília, Brazil. 

Her remarkable performance also contributed to Malaysia’s fourth gold medal at the tournament, marking a proud moment for both the nation and her alma mater.

During her time at APU, Jia Rong not only excelled academically but also gained invaluable experiences that shaped her confidence and character.

“APU constantly encouraged me to pursue excellence in both my studies and sports, allowing me to maintain my passion for Wushu while progressing academically. I am truly grateful to APU for nurturing and supporting me throughout this journey,” she shared.

Jia Rong’s greatest motivation comes from her lifelong love for Wushu. Having trained since she was young, sport has been an integral part of her life.

Regardless of how demanding her academic schedule became, she always made time to train — driven by her dream of becoming a world-class national athlete.

“Every time I step onto the competition floor, I feel a deep sense of pride and passion that pushes me to keep moving forward.”

Balancing academics and elite-level sport has not been easy. APU classes often ended around 5:30 p.m., sometimes overlapping with her training sessions; but Jia Rong remained committed. 

She would head straight to training after lectures, determined not to neglect either her studies or her sport.

“Since I could not change my class schedule, I adjusted my training hours instead. I believe with proper planning and discipline; it is always possible to find a balance.”

Overcoming challenges with determination

Her Wushu journey has not been without obstacles. The first major challenge was injuries.

“During recovery, I could not train properly, and my strength would gradually decline. Each time I returned, I had to work twice as hard to regain my form.”

The second challenge was the mental and physical toll of juggling both studies and sports. It was exhausting, often leaving her drained and making recovery difficult. But instead of giving up, Jia Rong learned to manage her time more effectively and found better ways to recover and refocus.

One of her proudest moments came this year when she represented Malaysia in a major international competition.

“I completed all my events without any mistakes. It was a huge breakthrough and proof that my years of hard work had paid off.

“It was also my first major international competition and achieving my best result there felt incredibly rewarding and fulfilling.”

Jia Rong credits much of her success to the unwavering support from APU. The flexibility and understanding from both lecturers and classmates played a crucial role in helping her manage her dual commitments.

“My lecturers and friends were very supportive of my situation as an athlete. Whether it was competitions or training, they were always empathetic and encouraging, often offering academic help when needed.

“This support taught me to be more disciplined and helped me manage my time and stress better. APU helped me grow not only academically but also as a person.” 

Through her academic journey, she developed critical skills like discipline, time management, and perseverance — all essential qualities in both sport and life.

“My studies taught me how to plan and analyse, while Wushu instilled focus and resilience. Together, they have helped me stay calm and strategic during competitions and grow from challenges and setbacks.”

Words of wisdom for fellow APU students

Jia Rong offers heartfelt advice to current APU students striving to succeed in both academic and extracurriculars.

“Never give up just because you are tired. Often, when you feel most exhausted, you are already close to success.

“Stay consistent, manage your time wisely, and enjoy the process. Whether it is in studies or sports, if you give your best, you will eventually see the results of your hard work.”

Looking ahead, Jia Rong hopes to continue her athletic career and bring further glory to Malaysia. However, she also has her sights set on giving back to the sporting community.

“If one day I can no longer compete, I hope to become a coach or work in the sports field to guide young athletes and help them achieve their dreams. I want to contribute to the development of sports in Malaysia in any way I can.”

Jia Rong concluded by expressing her deep appreciation to APU for playing such a vital role in her journey.

“My lecturers’ dedication and my peers’ encouragement allowed me to focus on both academics and sport without feeling overwhelmed.

“I also want to thank my national team coaches, who never gave up on me — even when my training schedule was affected by classes. They continued to guide and support me, helping me become the athlete I am today.

“APU has taught me balance, perseverance, and maturity, all lessons I will carry with me throughout my life.”