Ironman finisher courageously beats tuberculosis twice

2026-03-24 - 02:10

Although tuberculosis struck twice, Ironman finisher Jerry Ong refused to stay down. (Andrea Edmonds @ FMT Lifestyle) PETALING JAYA: After pushing his body through one of the world’s most punishing triathlons in 2022, Jerry Ong thought he could finally take a breather. He had just completed his first full Ironman in Langkawi – a gruelling challenge involving a 3.8km swim, a 180km bike ride and a 42.2km run – in about 15 hours and 30 minutes. What Ong did not know was that he was about to face a different kind of test: tuberculosis. Even during the race, something felt off. “About 30-40km into the bike ride, I totally lost all my energy. I couldn’t pedal anymore, so I just took it slowly and dragged my whole body across the finish line. I finished quite close to the cut-off time,” Ong told FMT Lifestyle. “I sensed something was wrong, but I didn’t know what it was. Why did I suddenly feel I had no energy? “Of course, it also crossed my mind that maybe it was my first Ironman and I wasn’t experienced enough, so it was normal for my body to suddenly feel weak,” added Ong, 43. Then came a cough that refused to leave. Even after seeing two ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialists, it lingered. Ong sensed something was wrong with his health while competing in a full Ironman challenge in 2022. (Jerry Ong pic) It was only when he consulted a pulmonologist and underwent a chest X-ray that the seriousness of his condition became clear – his entire left lung was filled with fluid. He was told it could either be cancer or tuberculosis. A biopsy followed, along with days of anxious waiting. When the results finally came back, Ong learnt it was tuberculosis. “I felt mixed emotions. Tuberculosis is also bad – I didn’t want either.” Recovery was long. Ong spent nine days in the hospital having fluid drained from his lung and for the next nine months, was on daily antibiotics. The medication left him feeling lethargic. It sometimes caused dizziness, headaches and diarrhoea. His urine and stools also turned red. Upon his first tuberculosis diagnosis, Ong spent nine days in the hospital having fluid drained from his left lung. (Jerry Ong pic) The illness left scarring on his left lung and took an emotional toll on him, especially as the fitness he had worked so hard to build slipped away. For someone who thrived on being active and taking part in triathlons, it hit hard. “I kept wondering, ‘Why me? Why did I have to be the one to get infected?’” But through it all, the support of his wife, two daughters and friends from the triathlon community kept him going. Ong refused to let the illness define him. About two months into his diagnosis, he began easing his way back into training. “I realised the only way is to act on the things I could control. So, I decided to start slowly again, become active and stay positive.” His determination paid off. In 2023, he took on a half Ironman – a 1.9km swim, 90km bike ride and 21.1km run – before completing a full Ironman the following year. But just as life seemed to get back on track, the persistent cough returned last year. “The cough felt very familiar, so I immediately went to get it checked with the same pulmonologist.” Yes, the tuberculosis had returned. After all the effort he had put into rebuilding his fitness, this was a bitter blow. Completing his third full Ironman last year was a hard-earned victory for Ong. (Jerry Ong pic) Yet, Ong said having survived tuberculosis before gave him the courage to fight it again. Thankfully, there was no hospitalisation this time, and he was on antibiotics for only six months. Not long after the diagnosis, he returned to training, taking on the Kenanga Man of Steel Triathlon 163 last August. This involved a 3km swim, 130km bike ride and 30km run. Crossing the finish line moved him to tears. “I felt a sense of relief, and it gave me confidence that I can compete in another Ironman.” And that’s exactly what he did, completing a full Ironman in Langkawi last November – a hard-won comeback after all he had been through. Looking back, Ong believes being physically active helped him recover faster. Surviving tuberculosis twice also reshaped his outlook on life. “Enjoy every moment and don’t give up so easily when something happens.” He also urges others to seek help early if something feels wrong. “Tuberculosis doesn’t only affect the lungs – it can also spread to other organs,” he said. “Tuberculosis is treatable, so it’s important to get checked early.”