World medallist Ong Hock Eng eyes professional diabolo career

Fresh from silver and bronze at the inaugural World Diabolo Contest, Ong Hock Eng hopes the Year of the Fire Horse will propel him towards turning his passion into a profession.

KUALA LUMPUR: Ong Hock Eng’s Chinese New Year wish is simple — to turn diabolo, better known as the Chinese yo-yo, into his main source of income.

The 26-year-old strengthened that ambition after clinching silver in the 3DB division and bronze in the 2DB at last year’s inaugural World Diabolo Contest in Taipei, Taiwan.

The sport enjoys strong support in Taiwan, where it is more developed and offers a wider range of equipment. Many Taiwanese players pursue it professionally — a path Ong hopes to follow.

Unlike his counterparts there, however, Ong must balance diabolo with work commitments. Without sponsorship, he relies on personal savings to fund equipment purchases and overseas competitions.

“Yes, my Chinese New Year wish is to give up my job and become a professional diabolo player,” said Ong, who works in advertising.

“I believe I have the skills to earn a living from the sport. Unfortunately, it is not cheap. I have to travel overseas to compete and have exhausted my savings.”

Competing at the first world meet left a lasting impression.

“It was an unforgettable experience. I have taken part in many events overseas, but competing in the first world meet has whetted my appetite for more,” said Ong, who turns 27 on April 19.

His journey with the traditional Chinese sport began at age nine at SJKC Puay Chai 2 in Petaling Jaya, where diabolo was offered as a co-curricular activity.

“I initially saw my brother playing it and became curious,” he said.

“Not long after, I got the hang of it and was entering team contests. It was only after I turned 12 that I started competing in solo events.”

That marked a turning point. Ong began developing his own style and experimenting with original tricks.

“I like to create my own tricks. Diabolo is not just about mastering technique — it is about expression,” he said.

“Competition motivates me to improve and challenge myself.”

Unlike many sports that depend on rigid routines, diabolo allows room for innovation. Ong takes pride in designing creative sequences that showcase both technical skill and originality.

“Skill is the main point, but creativity makes it different,” he said.

After primary school, Ong continued honing his craft at SMK Bandar Utama Damansara 4, where the diabolo club had fewer than 10 members. Despite the small group, he remained one of its most active participants.

He trained wherever space permitted — often in large open areas to perfect his throws, catches and combinations.

“Sometimes you get hit by the diabolo while learning new tricks,” he said with a laugh. “It is part of the process.”

Though rooted in China, diabolo has evolved over time. Modern equipment is more rounded and refined compared to traditional versions.

Equipment choice also matters. Ong explained that players typically choose between nylon strings and cotton or wool strings.

“Nylon is more economical and can hold the spin longer,” he said.

“It has less friction, so it is easier to spin. Cotton or wool strings offer more grip but create slower spin speeds.

“There are pros and cons. I prefer nylon, but sometimes I use cotton for selected tricks.”

In his early years, Ong purchased equipment through his coach. Today, he buys directly from distributors as he becomes more serious about pursuing the sport professionally.

Although many students are introduced to diabolo at school level, the competitive scene in Malaysia remains relatively small. While there is an association, large-scale competitions are not held frequently.

Ong believes greater exposure leads to greater opportunity.

“The more you perform, the more you gain experience. Taiwan really is the place to be if I want to make it in the sport. Let’s see what the Year of the Fire Horse brings me.”

As he continues to compete and innovate, Ong’s philosophy remains straightforward: keep spinning, keep challenging and never stop creating.