Sukma XXI: Pauline Ului lands the gold for S’wak in women’s discus event

KUCHING (Aug 20): Malaysia Games (Sukma) XXI debutant Pauline Ului handed a pleasant surprise for Sarawak after winning the women’s discus throw at the Sarawak Stadium today.

The 16-year-old Kayan lass from Long Bedian in Ulu Baram threw a distance of 38.50m to win gold and finish ahead of Perak’s Farhana Izuren (38.41m), earning her the silver, and Selangor’s bronze medalist Sasha Alyssa (37.62m).

Sarawak head coach Lim Teck Liong said he was delighted with Paulie’s remarkable achievement, who has been making strides by winning honours in national age-group competitions.

He described her as a cheerful and lively young lady with a bright future ahead.

It was also the only gold medal won by Sarawak in the athletics today, in an evening affected by heavy downpour which caused some events to be delayed.

There is hope for Sarawak to win more medals tomorrow (Aug 21) as Jonah Chang Rigan returns for his second event, the men’s discus throw.

The 21-year-old from Sarikei had won the gold medal for Sarawak in shot put on Monday after throwing a distance of 17.66m, a new Games record.