Abdul Karim ecstatic about taekwondo squad’s gold medals haul

KUCHING: Youth, Sports, and Entrepreneur Development Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah is thrilled with the Sarawak taekwondo team’s performance at the 21st Malaysian Games (SUKMA 2024).

He said the initial target was seven gold medal.

“Now, we have a total of 11 gold medals, and we have not reached the end of the taekwondo event.

“I wish to express my congratulations to all the athletes, the coaches and others in making sure that we win the gold medals.

“The motivation and the right mind is what made the athletes deliver a great performance,” he said.

He was speaking to reporters after handing over the medals at Stadium Perpaduan here today.

“We might be getting more golds, so we never know. Last time we managed to get a number of gold was in SUKMA 2016, with a total of eight gold medals,” he added.

Asked about his hopes for the Sarawak contingent, given their current total of 24 gold medals, Abdul Karim said other sports would do their best.

“I know some sports have already advance to the final such as muay thai, and I might be going to Bintulu to give them support.

“Even cricket has advanced to the final round, and I hope they perform well.

“And karate as well, for the first time after 24 years, we finally obtained gold at the SUKMA. That being said, these are some of the newest development and I hope this would inspire other athletes to perform better until the last day of SUKMA,” he added.

During the same event, Abdul Karim handed over four gold medals to Pretty Amisha Amanda Francesca (women heavyweight category — 73 kg and above)), Mohamad Zulhafiz Zulhadi (men’s heavyweight category — 87 kg and above)), Puteri Durratun Zulaikha Samat (women’s middleweight category — 73kg)), and Aj Yang Yi Ong (men’s middleweight category — under 87kg).