KUALA LUMPUR: Sea Games champion Jackie Wong contracted Covid-19 and was hospitalised. Then he became love sick and married the doctor who treated him.
It was at Sibu Hospital, Sarawak, where he was hospitalised for 72 days three years ago that Jackie met his future wife, Dr. Joanne Tiong.
Jackie, 32, who won the hammer throw gold at the 2022 Sea Games, tied the knot with Dr Joanne on May 5 in Sarikei.
According to the Sin Chew Daily, Dr Joanne was the go-to person for Jackie's family members during those traumatic days. Jackie's father, former Sarikei MP, Wong Ling Biu, was also hospitalised at Sibu Hospital at the same time.
A thankful Jackie got in touch with the tall and beautiful doctor following his recovery. Soon, love blossomed between 'J and J'.
The iron man said he was attracted to her altruistic nature.
Jackie said he proposed to Dr Joanne after coming across a verse in the Bible: "Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labour. If either of them falls down, one can help the other up."
Dr Joanne said she initially didn't know her patient was a national athlete. And when he was sent to Sibu Hospital, everyone was nervous because the pandemic was at its height then.
Dr Joanne said her first impression of Jackie was "he's tall and handsome", and later learned that he is a reliable and responsible man.