Sabah women’s team win gold at Sukma XXI kata event

KUCHING (Aug 18): The Sabah women’s team continued their strong showing at the Kata event of the 21st Malaysia Games (Sukma) by winning the gold in the team event in Miri on Sunday.

The state also bagged two silvers and three bronzes on the second day of karate competition to bring their total haul to two golds, three silvers and six bronzes.

The highlight of the day fell on the state Kata team of Anneliese Anne Robberth, Audrey Adreana Baking and Ivy Olivera Donny who were up against favourites Penang in the final.

The state trio performed their routines superbly to register 39.30 points to edge out Penang to the gold with the latter scoring 38.80 points.

It was Sabah’s second gold from the Kata event following Saturday’s victory for national exponent Lovelly Anne Robberth in the women’s individual competition.

Sabah karatekas were also involved another two finals today in the Individual Kumite but had to settle for silver in both weight categories.

Anabel Mazlan lost 0-7 to Zakiah Adnan of Terengganu in the women’s -67kg event while Prisca Easter Philip went down 3-7 to Johor’s P. Jayashree in the women’s -68kg title bout.

The three bronzes were from Chin Xue Yi (women’s -68 Individul Kumite), Muhammad Aiman Azlan (men’s Individual Kumite -84kg) and Men’s Team Kata trio Alvince Zurizal, Eddel Jerry Jamun and Mohd Haikal Henry.

Two more golds will be up for grabs in the men’s and women’s Team Kumite on the final day of karate on Monday.

Meanwhile, Sabah’s other medals were won in Muaythai competition held at the Paragon Mall in Bintulu.

Nur Insyirah Mandol in the women’s 42-45kg and Efron Jaidin in the men’s 57-60kg settled for bronze after losing their semifinal bouts.

In all, Sabah have collected seven golds, four silvers and 13 bronzes to remain sixth in the overall standing as of 8pm.

On Monday, another 59 golds are set to be won where the first day of athletics and swimming competitions will offer nine and eight gold medals respectively.

The rest are taekwondo (six golds), shooting (six golds) rhythmic gymnastics (five golds), Muaythai (four golds), weightlifting (three golds), karate (two golds), diving (two golds), BMX (two golds), petanque (two golds), tenpin bowling (two golds), fencing (two golds), softball (two golds) and one-gold each in lawnbowls, men’s T20 cricket, squash and tennis.