"Lucky 14th" — Man Wins New Proton Saga After 13 Winners Did Not Attend Penang Lucky Draw
According to the man, he intends to give his brand new car to his wife, who just got her driving license.
By Wayne Garreth — 14 Dec 2022, 12:14 PM
We'd often describe luck as something akin to catching lightning in a bottle.
But one very lucky man in Penang just had an incident that would more likely be considered a one in a million circumstance.
On 11 December, one of the biggest annual sporting events to take place in Penang, the Penang Bridge International Marathon, kicked off without a hitch.
Seeing approximately 26,000 runners take place in this year's marathon, fitness fanatics aiming to challenge themselves took to the streets and jogged in style.
As a little motivation for the run, the organisers also conducted a special lucky draw, which saw two individuals walk away with brand new Proton Sagas, one each. But in the case for one winner — showing up was all he needed to do.
55-year-old Cheng Wen Long was named the winner of one of the new Proton Sagas — though his win itself was due to 13 other winners not showing up to claim the car before him
According to a report by a Chinese media outlet, China Press, Cheng was announced as the 14th 'winner' of the new car after a call of the first 13 names by the Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Penang, Tun Datuk Seri Utama Ahmad Fuzi bin Abdul Razak, did not get answered to collect the mock keys of the car.
By a default of 13 times, Cheng became the winner of the lucky draw's grand prize, in what can easily be described as a miraculous stroke of good luck.
In a brief conversation with China Press, Cheng stated that this was his first time participating in the marathon, where he ran and completed the 10km race. Expressing his disbelief and joy over winning a new car, Cheng also revealed what his plans are for the prize.
"It's such good timing, as my wife is currently getting her driver's license, so I can give her this car when she finishes her test!" he stated.
As for the winner of the second Proton Saga, 45-year-old Chua Soon Lee, an avid marathon runner, stepped forward to claim that prize. Having participated in the Penang Bridge marathon for numerous years, he challenged himself this time to run in the Half Marathon category, which took place across a distance of 21km.
In speaking about his win, Chua told China Press that he never thought much about the lucky draw, having competed in the marathon for so many years. Though he was shocked over winning the grand prize, it came just in the nick of time, as he recently sold his old car.
Closing his thoughts on the entirety of the race, the luckiest winner of the day, Cheng, encouraged more Penangites to participate in the marathon for the future, and show support for the state's initiative.
The two Proton Saga prizes for the lucky draw.
Image via Penang Bridge International Marathon (Facebook)