Sarawak extend lead with 23 more gold medals

KUCHING: Sarawak solidified their position at the top of the medal table by adding 23 more gold medals on the second day of competition at the 21st Para Malaysia Games (SUKMA) 2024.

In a historic performance, Bryan Junency Gustin set new national and Para SUKMA records in para powerlifting, lifting an impressive 191kg to secure two gold medals in the men’s 88kg category.

Sarawak’s dominance extended to lawn bowls, where Norhasfalinda Hamdan claimed gold in the women’s B3 singles event, while the open pairs B6 event saw Nischal Nischolas Bujang and Ahmad Bashirun Ismail winning gold.

A further 11 gold medals were won in athletics, with standout performances by Colorine Sijang (women’s shot put F41), Richard Badang (men’s javelin F41), Nur Atirah Voon Abdullah (women’s shot put F11), and Norshazwani Maisara Marzuki (women’s javelin F37).

Other gold medalists included Tomson Lim Kok Hong (men’s shot put F37), Jennyla Kueh (women’s javelin F55/F56/F57), Richard Ganie James Sigan (men’s javelin F36), Mohd Farissan Jasnal (men’s long jump T38), Filemon Lirong Dionisus (men’s 400m T11), Noor Kalsum Fadil (women’s shot put F12/F13), and Jap Soon Hung (men’s shot put F54).

Sarawak’s swimmers also made a splash, contributing five gold medals to the tally.

Galang Jabai broke the national record in the men’s 50m freestyle S7 with a time of 34.59 seconds, securing a gold medal and adding another in the men’s 100m freestyle S7.

Other golds in swimming were won by Rusdianto Rusmadi (men’s 100m backstroke S7/S8), Mohd Adib Iqbal Abdullah (men’s 100m breaststroke SB14), and Donny Jaranding (men’s 100m breaststroke SB13).

In tenpin bowling, Roni Tugiman won gold in the men’s TPB2 singles event, Jacqueline Kaboh took gold in the women’s TPB3 singles event, and Nur Amalina Mohd Mosadad clinched gold in the women’s TPB10 singles event.

As of 7.15 pm yesterday (Sept 24), Sarawak lead the medal tally with 37 gold, 23 silver, and 25 bronze medals, placing Sabah in second and Selangor, third.