Sukma: Wushu’s Stephanie Ngu wins first gold medal for Sarawak

KUCHING (Aug 14): After eight years of chasing, Sarawakian Stephanie Ngu Chai Ern finally got her golden glory for the women’s changquan for wushu in Sukma Sarawak 2024 today.

After having represented Sarawak at Sukma Sarawak 2016, Sukma Perak in 2018 and Sukma MSN Kuala Lumpur in 2022, the 20-year-old finally captured her first Sukma gold medal.

Stephanie had led the 17-competitor field with 9.603 points and the final results were announced, she wept tears of joy.

She had also won by the narrowest of margins, beating national athlete Lee Jia Rong of Johor by a mere 0.03 points while another national athlete Kelly Chin Su Jie of Melaka took the bronze with 9.586 points.

It was also Sarawak’s first wushu gold in Sukma XXI.

Stephanie’s teammate Fong Chai Xin ended up in 11th spot with 9.020 points.

“I am so happy that l finally managed to win gold in my final Sukma outing. At the last Sukma in Kuala Lumpur, l won the silver medal in nanquan and winning gold is the best feeling l can have.

“I am going for golds too in qiangshu and jianshu and will do my very best to add more medals to the Sarawak Sukma Contingent,” she told The Borneo Post.

She was the silver medalist in jianshu and bronze medalist in the qiangshu at Sukma XX in Kuala Lumpur in 2022.

“I would like to dedicate this gold to my godfather Tiong Yong Hee and mentor coach Lam Chee Kiong and l am indeed indebted to all my family, coaches, teammates, Sarawak Sports Corporation and Sarawak State Sports Council officials for the guidance and support,” she added.

Her coach Lau Hui Wui meanwhile said: “This is a real surprise gold for us and Stephanie and I had a personal agreement that since this is her final Sukma, she has to go all out for gold and I must congratulate her for realising her dream of becoming a Sukma champion.

“She has really worked very hard to achieve this and hopefully she can also excel in her two other events women’s qiangshu and jianshu which are her pet events.”

Sarawak head coach Yoong Thong Foong said he was delighted with Stephanie’s excellent performance, hoping that it will inspire and motivate her teammates to bring in more medals.

“Her performance is exemplary and she was able to beat two national athletes to the gold. This will inspire others to achieve our target of three golds in taolu,” he said.

Stephanie’s mother Lee Leh Ling, who flew into Kuching all the way from Sibu to support her daughter, was also happy with Stephanie’s achievement and breakthrough in this Sukma.

“I am really touched by the result. She has been training and trying very hard all these years and finally she is able to achieve the highest honour for an athlete.

“Since she moved to Kuching when she was 12 years old, l have been visiting her during holidays and will always follow her to competitions,” said Lee.