At the age of 16, Marina Chin made her mark in the Malaysian athletics scene by winning the 100m and 200m events at the School Zone Athletics Championships in 1971. Her outstanding performance caught the eye of the Malaysian Athletics Association, which led to her participation in the 1971 SEA Games, where she clinched a gold medal in the 4x400m relay.
Marina continued to dominate the SEA Games, earning five more gold medals and breaking the championship record twice in the 100m hurdles. She also achieved glory at the Asian Athletics Championships, with her final gold medal coming from the 4x400m relay event in 1981. She was recognised as the Sportswoman of the Year in 1976 and 1977 consecutively.
In the 70s, besides being a prominent figure in Malaysian athletics. She also had stunning looks that earned her the title of Railway Beauty Queen in 1975. She was a remarkable woman who combined athletic excellence and aesthetic appeal.
After retiring from athletics, Marina pursued her career as a teacher and was involved in various sport activities organised by the Ministry of Education and the National Sports Council. She was the former Bukit Jalil Sports School principal where she retired in 2015 after 39 years working with the Education Ministry.
In 2017, Marina had the honour of being Malaysia’s chef-de-mission at the KL SEA Games, completing her journey as a track and field legend. She was delighted to be back at the Games to support the emerging talents.
We hope that Marina Chin’s accomplishments and dedication will inspire future generations.