Sukma 2024: Taekwondo contributes most gold for Sarawak, current count at 11

Abdul Karim (front row, 5th left) photographed with the winners and other dignitaries during taekwondo's medal presentation ceremony at Petra Jaya Indoor Stadium, Kuching on Aug 19, 2024.

By Shikin Louis

KUCHING, Aug 19: Taekwondo remains the top sport in contributing the most gold medals for Sarawak in the ongoing 21st Malaysian Games (Sukma), with the current count at 11.

Sarawak Minister of Youth, Sports, and Entrepreneur Development (MYSED) Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah expressed his delight with Sarawak’s Taekwondo team, stating that they have exceeded expectations.

“Before Sukma, when we did our rating, they indicated to us that they might be able to deliver up to seven golds.

“But even before Taekwondo ends, they have already delivered 11 golds so far. This is something which amazes me.

“I think all Sarawakians are very happy with the performance of Taekwondo. It’s unprecedented and better than what we achieved in 2016,” he told reporters when presenting medals to the taekwondo winners at Petra Jaya Indoor Stadium here today.

Abdul Karim further congratulated and thanked Taekwondo Malaysia (WTF) president Azizul Annuar Adenan, as well as the whole team comprising coaches, managers, and athletes, who have been very dedicated and committed to achieving success.

“We might even get some more medals today and tomorrow—we never know.

“In 2016, our taekwondo team achieved eight gold medals while bowling contributed the largest number of gold medals at 11.

“But for this year’s Sukma, I don’t think any other sport can beat what Taekwondo has achieved,” he added.

Nevertheless, Abdul Karim acknowledged that some of the sports have made quite significant achievements, such as Sarawak’s muaythai team, where five athletes are moving into the finals tomorrow (Aug 20), while the men’s cricket team has entered the finals—the first time that they have reached this far in Sukma’s history.

He also noted that the karate team has made the same progress as the cricket team, as karateka Eidelweiss Franzel Francey Sami won the first-ever gold medal in Sukma for Sarawak.

“This is a new development, and I hope that this will inspire others to fight more until the last day.

“We would want to be the overall champion this year, and we are on track to it,” he emphasised. — DayakDaily