This 13-year-old is unlike most teens, harbouring a fiery determination to be the best in her field even if it means bearing the pain of a few cuts and bruises along the way.
Speaking with FMT Lifestyle via a Zoom interview from Korea where she is currently training, Chloe revealed that her love affair with the figure skating began at age four.
She recalled being mesmerised by those she saw “skating very magically” at an ice-skating rink at a shopping mall, and wanted to give it a try herself.
Despite slipping and falling numerous times, she persisted, sometimes spending up to six hours at a time, trying to find her balance.
Her father Karl Ng, 49, said: “She had to hold on to older skaters to move around the rink. But she was very determined and wanted to learn.”
After taking formal lessons, she was ready to participate in her first competition, Skate Malaysia, in 2015 where she won three gold medals in the pre-alpha category.
More competitions, local and international, were to come and soon she had amassed over 100 medals.
Several competitions remain special for Chloe, in particular the Skate Asia competition where she won 14 medals. She was only six years old. “I had to memorise over 10 programmes and dance steps, which was not very easy when I was six,” she said.
Another was when she skated to the song “Asmaradana” from the film “Puteri Gunung Ledang” at the Asian Junior Figure Skating Challenge 2018/2019 in Hong Kong.
She said she felt “happy and proud” when the song was played, and pledged to use more songs in her routines that reflected Malaysia’s culture.
Chloe has also been recognised twice by the Malaysia Book of Records (MBR). Once in Nov 11, 2016 at six years old when she received the award for the “Youngest to win ‘Skate Asia’ figure skating competition (female)” and again on Dec 7, 2022 when she was awarded “First to win the silver medal in the Asian Open Figure Skating Trophy (Female)”.
But her road to success, glittering as it is, involves hard work. For Chloe, a student at an international school, her weekdays typically start at 6am and at times, end as late as 10pm because she trains before and after school.
Asked how she balances studies with such a rigorous schedule, she said that she revises her subjects in her free time.
In May, she sat for two Cambridge International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) papers for Malay and Mandarin. The IGCSE is a certification for the end of secondary school and designed as a two-year course for candidates aged 14-16.
Chloe said she sat for the papers early so she would have fewer papers to sit for when she progresses to higher levels in figure skating.
While juggling studies and examinations, she also competed in the Malaysia Figure Skating Nationals that same month – bagging first place in the advanced novice category. She also received the “Most Promising” award.
Although her routine is gruelling, among the things that keep her going is her belief that her late grandfather is watching over her.
An army officer who served the country for 30 years, he was also an excellent athlete who played rugby and golf. Chloe said seeing his medals and trophies is her motivation to work hard.
An example of her tenacity was when she sustained a deep cut on her chin after a fall. She was nine years old but got right back on her feet – literally!
This happened two weeks before a competition in Singapore. She went to the competition with a bandage on her chin but returned home with the gold medal, Karl said.
Nevertheless, he believes there could be more support for local figure skaters. “I am currently supporting her financially. My hope is to see more support from not just the government, but the community and businesses.
“That is very important because the athletes are not just doing it for themselves, they are also carrying Malaysia’s name in sports.”
In the future, Chloe hopes to qualify for the World Junior Figure Skating Championships before making it to the World Figure Skating Championships and the Winter Olympics.
“My advice for young aspiring figure skaters is to always work hard. Do not give up when you face problems, no matter how big or small. And always enjoy yourself on the ice and make new friends,” she said.