Para Sukma: Sarawak’s Bibiana Ahmad powers her way to new meet record, two gold medals

KUCHING (Sept 25): Sarawak powerlifter Bibiana Ahmad set a new Para Malaysia Games (Para Sukma) record of 95kg and won two gold medals in the women’s 86kg & above event at the Multi-Purpose Hall of the Youth and Sports Department Sarawak yesterday.

The 36-year-old kitchen helper from Lawas, who works in Kuching, had a successful first lift of 91kg, followed by 93kg, and 95kg in the best lift to bag her first gold medal.

Her second gold was won with a total lift of 279kg. However another record attempt to lift 98kg in the power lift was unsuccessful.

Sona Agon of Kedah won the silver with 94kg while another Sarawakian Rosnani Kassim settled for the bronze with her best lift of 70kg.

“I am pretty satisfied with my performance today as this was what l was expecting and targeting after training so hard for one year for this Para Sukma.

“In fact, l had already exceeded my personal best of 86kg in the first three lifts and after that l tried to crack the national record. Unfortunately, l was unsuccessful,” Bibiana told reporters after undergoing a doping test.

She did not compete at Para Sukma XX MSN in Kuala Lumpur two years ago after Covid-19 as her category was considered as special and athletes were not allowed to compete in that category.

Next up, Bibiana will focus on her training in preparation for the Powerlifting World Cup in Dubai next year.

“I am also hoping to do well in the World Cup,” she added.

Earlier, 17-year-old Johannes Gabriel Chew from Kuching delivered two more golds for the Sarawak para powerlifting team when he won the men’s 49kg with a best lift of 100kg and a total lift of 177kg.

The silver went to Roozaimi Johari of Negeri Sembilan with 99kg while Rafli Suhaili from FT Labuan took the bronze with 78kg.