Esther Joy Chen: Malaysia’s Rising Triathlon Star Ready to Take On the SEA Games 2025
- John Yeong
- 12 hours ago
- 4 min read
A journey that started by accident, Esther Joy Chen is embracing what it means to be exceptional with one's God given talents
As Malaysia looks toward the 2025 SEA Games in Thailand, one name steadily gaining attention in the endurance community is Esther Joy Chen.
Known for her grit, versatility, and charismatic presence in the multisport scene, Esther has quickly evolved from a casual weekend runner to one of Malaysia’s most promising triathletes.
Her journey is far from the typical athlete origin story—in fact, it started by accident.
From Post-Pandemic Uncertainty to Discovering Triathlon
Like many young Malaysians, Esther found herself adrift after the long COVID-19 lockdowns. Looking for purpose and a way to stay active, she joined weekend road races to earn some extra pocket money. She didn’t yet know it, but this simple decision would become the catalyst for a remarkable athletic career.
She shared with SportPlus.sg:
“I started out just to try something new post-Covid lockdown. I was a bit lost after that period as we weren’t allowed to do any outdoor activities for almost a year due to the pandemic, so I just started going for running road races on the weekends to earn some pocket money and got scouted by a now friend to try out for triathlon. It was a lot of fun and way different than training for single sports then I guess I just fell in love with it.”
Triathlon—demanding as it is—gave her not just competition, but clarity, community, and undeniable momentum.
When She Realised She Could Be Great
Every athlete has a moment when they look in the mirror and realise: I can actually do this.
For Esther, that moment came in Desaru, in the blistering Malaysian heat, during her first Ironman 70.3 race. Despite being new to the sport, she went sub-5 hours, a milestone that many seasoned triathletes chase for years.
She recalls:
“I think only after I did my first 70.3 in Desaru in the scorching heat wave and managed to go sub 5 hours did I think hey, maybe I’m pretty good at this, followed by my first half marathon which was a sponsored event that was just meant to be ‘for experience’ that I ended up on the top-10 podium. Those were little moments where I started to think, I guess I’m not too bad at this.”
These breakthroughs revealed that Esther wasn’t just talented—she was exceptional.
A Lifetime of Sporting Foundations
One of the most unique aspects of Esther’s rise is her eclectic background in sports. She wasn’t raised in triathlon, but she was raised in movement.
Her past experiences include wushu, swimming, track & field, cross-country, and even gymnastics—a combination that built her fearlessness and adaptability.
She explains:
“My background in other sports (wushu/swimming/bits of track & field/cross country and gymnastics) helped me get a head start when I first joined triathlon. It wasn’t an apple-to-apple comparison for sure—I had to relearn how to swim after almost 7 years nowhere near the water, had never learned how to ride a 2-wheel bicycle, let alone a road bike—but my background definitely gave me the ‘no fear’ mentality that fast-tracked me in triathlon.”
“I was there for fun, to experience something new, and same as when I was in any other sport I did, I was there to try to learn and improve as much as possible. Albeit still struggling on the swim.”
Despite her struggles with swimming—often the trickiest discipline for newcomers—her willingness to push past discomfort remains one of her greatest strengths.
SEA Games 2025: Racing With Heart, Not Pressure
With the 33rd SEA Games 2025 in Thailand approaching, expectations naturally follow rising stars like Esther. But she remains centered, grounded, and driven by passion rather than podium pressure.
She insists:
“So much has happened this year in particular, so I don’t have much expectations coming into this SEA Games anymore. I’m there to race hard, have fun and leave it all out on the field—the rest is up to God.”
This mindset—focused yet humble—makes her not only a competitive athlete, but an inspiring one.
Building a Future for Malaysian Triathlon
At only the beginning of her elite career, Esther already thinks beyond medals. She sees her journey as a chance to lift others, especially young Malaysians who may not yet see a place for themselves in endurance sports.
She shares:
“I’m definitely not ready to be leaving behind a legacy just yet but I do hope by the end of my career I’d have inspired a few people to pick up sports and grow both the triathlon and running community in Malaysia. I’d hope to have been a good role model to the younger generation. That’s enough for me.”
Her humility underscores her bigger mission: not to be remembered for times or rankings, but for impact.
Why Esther Joy Chen Matters in Malaysia’s Sporting Future
Esther isn’t just another athlete preparing for the SEA Games—she represents a new wave of Malaysian endurance sport.
Her story embodies resilience after adversity, the power of cross-disciplinary training and the rise of women in Malaysian endurance sports as well as the growing appeal of triathlon in Southeast Asia.
Her trajectory suggests that she isn’t just one to watch in 2025—she is shaping what Malaysian triathlon can become. #SEAGames2025 #SEAGamesThailand #Triathlon