Sarawak makes it four golds in boxing

SIMANGGANG: Sarawak has secured a total of four gold medals in the last finals of the boxing event in the 21st Malaysia Games (SUKMA) 2024 at Sri Aman Indoor Stadium last night (Aug 23).

In the boxing overall standing, the home team is in second place with four gold, four silver and three bronze medals.

Penang finished at the top, securing five gold medals and one bronze while Johor is in third with two gold and three bronze medals.

Sarawak’s fourth gold medal was awarded by Frederick Xian Bartholomew Albern last night in the featherweight (57kg) category after he defeated Sabah’s Joel Evekly Jain with a score of 5-0.

Coach Helman Morni celebrates Frederick’s victory with fans cheers in the background. Photo: Alif Noni

In the final bout of the night, Clavia Charlene Sudang Kennedy lost to Sharmela Tamil Selvam from Penang, settling for the silver medal in the women’s flyweight 52kg.

In the first round of finals on Aug 22, Sarawak’s three gold medals were contributed by Clarkson Evans Tom Frankie (48kg), Gideon Riquelme Jonathan (75kg), and Hamiesha Hamdan (women’s 57kg).

The medals were presented to the winners by Deputy Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts Datuk Snowdan Lawan.

In a press conference, Snowdan said the initial target for Sarawak was four gold medals which they have achieved on the last day of the event.

He praised the commitment of the boxing team, which had done its best.

Frederick poses with his gold medal after the prize presentation ceremony. Photo: Alif Noni

“I see many young athletes participating. Although they are young, their performances were very impressive.

“My hope is to see them continue their dedication so that in the next SUKMA, they will be more mature and capable of delivering even better performances,” he said at a press conference.

The boxing event in Sri Aman, which began on Aug 16, involved the participation of 92 boxers competing in 12 categories.

Meanwhile, the women’s category, which was held for the first time, successfully attracted 15 participants.

Malaysian Boxing Federation president Datuk Mohamad Iruan Zulkefli, and Sarawak Boxing Association president, who is also Malaysian Boxing Federation vice president Datuk Rahman Lariwoo, were also present.