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Muhammad Asnawi (second right) receiving his RM10,000 prize money and trophy from Musa.
KOTA KINABALU (Feb 7): Medal-winning sailor Muhammad Asnawi Iqbal Adam and Pencak Silat champion Nor Farah Mazlan emerged as the top honourees of the 17th Sabah Sports Awards, reflecting Sabah’s growing presence on the regional and international sporting stage.
Twenty-year-old Muhammad Asnawi was named Sabah Sportsman of the Year (2023–2024) after an impressive run at major multi-sport events.
The Sabah-born sailor captured a bronze medal at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou in 2023, contributing to Malaysia’s overall medal tally in sailing.
Earlier this year, he also claimed victory at the International Youth Sailing Championship Langkawi 2025, showcasing his growth and versatility across different sailing disciplines.
Expressing his gratitude for the honour, Muhammad Asnawi said he never expected to receive the award and described the recognition as a blessing for both himself and his home state.
He shared that his journey began at the age of six when his father introduced him to sailing, and he has continued to train with resilience and determination despite facing physical and competitive challenges.
Muhammad Asnawi added that his next major goal is to represent Malaysia at the Olympic Games.
Meanwhile, Nor Farah Mazlan was crowned Sabah Sportswoman of the Year (2023–2024) after establishing herself as one of Malaysia’s leading Pencak Silat exponents.
The Kota Belud native clinched gold at the 2023 SEA Games in Cambodia, playing a key role in the national team’s medal haul.
She has also been recognised for her performances on the global stage, including at the 20th World Pencak Silat Championship in Abu Dhabi in late 2024, where she earned a world title in her weight class.
Nor Farah (second right) being conferred her trophy and RM10,000 prize money from Musa.
A two-time recipient of top honours, Nor Farah said she was overjoyed and grateful to be recognised again after continuing to compete against rising talents.
She highlighted that staying relevant and maintaining a high level of performance amid fierce competition remains her biggest challenge.
Nor Farah credited her passion for the sport, cultivated from a young age with support from her family, and her dedication to continuous training as the foundation of her success.
Looking ahead, she aims to maintain her competitive form and pursue further medals in premier regional and international events.
The 17th Sabah Sports Awards, held at Magellan Sutera on Friday, celebrated excellence across various categories, honouring athletes, coaches, teams, administrators and organisations for their contributions to the development of sport in the state.
The event was graced by Head of State Tun Musa Aman and Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor, as well as State Youth Development, Sports Advancement and Creative Economy Minister Datuk Nizam Abu Bakar Titingan.
English (US) ·