Sabah dominates Sukma XXI sepak takraw with three gold medals

KUCHING (Aug 20): Sabah edged closer to winning all four women’s sepak takraw gold medals in the 21st Malayia Games (Sukma XXI) today.

The all-conquering squad impressed by winning the Doubles and Quadrant events for their third Sukma gold, after having won the first in the Team event last Saturday.

To make it a more memorable day, Sabah also claimed a first-ever Sukma gold in the men’s Doubles event.

The first gold of the day came from the women’s Doubles, which saw Sabah successfully defend the title won in the 2022 Sukma in Kuala Lumpur.

Nazira Hani Iskandar @ Jali and Veronica Asli as well as Sylla Burong faced little problem in beating Perlis pair Ayu Aqilah Hilmi and Nur Fatihah Sharudin 15-6, 15-9 in the final.

In the Quadrant title match, Sabah fended off a strong challenge especially in the first set from host Sarawak to register a 17-14, 15-7 win.

The state squad comprised Fisydiana Faradona, Nadillatul Rosmahani Saidin, Nurshazreyana Edy, Rohaizan Rojer @ Harun as well as reserves Jumisa Ambong and Nedveesharny Samaan.

The victory ensured Sabah retained the Quadrant gold they won in the 2018 Sukma in Perak after the event was dropped in the 2022 Sukma.

The outstanding feat did not go unnoticed with Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor congratulating the women’s teams on his official Facebook page.

“We received another very good news that the Sabah women’s sepak takraw have won gold medals. What is even more remarkable is that Sabah swept all the gold medals in the Team, Doubles and Quadrants categories for women.

“The women’s sepak takraw squad will next compete in the regu event, so let’s all continue to support them and the entire Sabah Sukma squad,” he said.

Later on, the men’s Doubles featuring Maxcelles Omikol @ Jos, Mohamad Fariz Mohamad Guntor and reserve Mohammad Hafiq Hafiz Rojoh defeated Perak 15-11, 15-13 to win Sabah’s fourth overall sepak takraw gold in Sukma.

Two more golds are up for grabs in the sepak takraw category from the men’s and women’s Regu events.

The finals will take place on Aug 23.