Kandiah, who ran barefoot with tape on his feet on the bitumen track at Merdeka Stadium, died at the age of 77 on Sept 23.
The media described his feat with his bare feet as heroic. Kandiah did have running shoes but he never felt comfortable with them.
On Sept 15, his daughter Shanti – an ex-sprinter at district level – suffered the same fate from Covid-19. She was in her 50s.
Kandiah’s granddaughter, Mageisha, said two of her aunts who were Category 1 patients had self-isolated at the family home in First Garden here.
The double tragedy has also left the Panther Athletics Club in grief, with several of Kandiah’s peers saying he had contributed hugely to Perak’s success in distance running.
Panther’s president, K Jayabalan, recounted that Kandiah was a late starter in athletics, only emerging as a talent at 27.
Kandiah’s rise began at Bukit Kledang, Menglembu, during a 5km hill run that was part of the Public Works Department (PWD) sports carnival.
Then a labourer with Ipoh Town Council, he was allowed to participate in the race as his mother was a PWD employee.
Jayabalan said the PWD champion, M Raman, a former national athlete, who won the long hill run every year, was in for a surprise.
“Suddenly we saw a person, unknown to us, running barefoot and leading the pack by almost a km. Kandiah won the race to the amazement of everyone,” he said.
Jayabalan, a former national 400m runner, became Kandiah’s coach even as he continued to train and race bare feet.
In 1976 and 77, he won the 5000m at the national championships and got a ticket to the SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur.
“At the Games, he won three bronze medals in the 1500m, 5000m and 10,000, an incredible feat considering he ran barefoot.
“Running barefoot aside, it’s not easy to win three medals in one meet, especially with runners from other countries specialising in certain events,” said Jayabalan.
In the 1500m, he finished behind Burmese Jimmy Crampton and fellow Malaysian K Yogeswaran, surprising many.
Koko of Burma won the 5000m and 10,000m with his teammates Maung Hla and Aung Than taking the silver respectively in both events.
Jayabalan said Kandiah quit the track soon after due to a knee injury caused by running barefoot and took to 10km runs and half-marathons – “this time forced to wear running shoes.”
At 45, the father of eight, was rated the fastest veteran long-distance runner in the country.
Jayabalan said Kandiah was involved in grassroots development and coached long-distance runners.
Due to sports, he was promoted from labourer to driver and then as a mandore with the local authority, later renamed Ipoh City Council.
After his retirement, he became a recognised road contractor in Perak and contributed financially to the Panther Club, of which he became advisor two years ago.
Upon being made advisor, Kandiah said: “Coach Jayabalan along with a few dedicated and hardcore distance runners namely R Letchumanan, Rathna Pandian and Paramasivam were instrumental in my achievements.
“This club, which is close to my heart, was the reason for the accomplishment of my dream, and I am indebted to Panthers till the end.”
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