Sukma XXI: Jonah destroys the field, Ormilla third fastest

KUCHING (Aug 19): Sarawak’s Jonah Chang Rigan set a new Sukma record as he powered his way to win the men’s shot put at Stadium Sarawak yesterday.

The national thrower threw 17.66m to shatter the old record of 17.31m set by Terengganu’s Adi Aliffuddin Hussin in 2010.

The Sarawak strongman was simply untouchable as he won by a massive three metres plus over Sabah’s Pang Hong Pang (14.38m) and Kelantan’s Wan Muhd Rifan (13.83m).

Met after the event, Jonah said while happy to win gold for Sarawak and successfully defended his title, he was a bit disappointed that he could not exceed 18m. He holds the national record with a distance of 18.46m set in May this year.

The 21-year-old, who is making his final Sukma appearance, revealed that he also did not want to worsen a slight chest injury as he had two more events – discus and hammer – in which he is eyeing to win as well.

“Actually I wanted to do 18 meters. But what can I do, I just need to continue for my next events. I need to be careful so that I don’t worsen my injury because the next event is on Wednesday. But as long as I have done my best for Sarawak, it’s good enough,” he told reporters.

Asked about his plans after Sukma, Jonah who is of Berawan ethnicity wants to return immediately to his hometown Sarikei for a month’s holiday.

“I miss my hometown. I miss farming too. Because my family is also busy as my parents are teachers and they’re always outstation My younger brother is still in school,” he said, adding that farming is his hobby as he has planted several food trees including dabai and durian.

The crowd at the crowd yesterday also witnessed the blue riband 100m to decide the fastest man and woman in the 21st Sukma. Sarawak’s Ormilla Octavia Codday Nyadau, who is from Miri, clocked 12.19secs to snatch the bronze medal in the women’s race behind Selangor’s Nur Afrina Batrisya who clocked 11.64secs for a new Sukma record and Izzatul Misfirah (11.90s) of Terengganu.

“I did not set a high target, as I only wanted to better my PB (12.04s). Therefore, it is a bonus for me to have the podium finish,” the 18-year-old Berawan lass from Miri said. She pledged that she will continue to train hard to brind more honour for Sarawak.

The title of fastest man went to Johor’s Danish Iftikhar who crossed the line first in 10.53s just ahead of Selangor’s Danish Irfan Tamrin (10.60s) and Pahang’s Muhd Efrain (10.66s). Sarawak’s Dylan Leo Saran finished fourth in 10.68s.