Sukma XXI: Sabah bags two gold medals in petanque

KUCHING (Aug 22): The Sabah petanque squad defied all expectations to clinch two golds in the 21st Malaysia Games (Sukma) today.

With growing pressure after failing to get into medal position in five previous events, the state women’s Triple and Mixed Triple teams came to the rescue with their superb displays at the Santubong Petanque Arena here.

Marysa Appel @ Denny, Siti Noor Ellyshatul Balq Suhaimi and Thadis Henhera Vennice delivered the first gold after beating Johor’s Nur Aira Nabilah Saiful Alam, Nur Syuhada Amany Rosli, Siti Zulika Zainal Abidin 11-4 in the final.

The Sabah camp celebrated again shortly after when the Mixed Triple (two females/one male) gold medal match ended at the adjacent court.

The state squad comprising Maxivianna Robert, Muhammad Aeqhmal Mohammad Ardhy and Siti Nur Vivianah Chia emerged 10-7 victorious against Sarawak’s Ain Afzan Aisyah Ezlan, Akhtar Shauqi Aini Mohd Dom and Nur Durratul Sahira Yazit.

Team manager Wahadir Hamdan was a mirror of a “happy and relieved man” after the double gold showing from the triple events.

“After suffering defeats in the five previous events, we started to worry because it seemed that nothing was going our way.

“The target was to win one gold in Sukma and we could not pass up the chance to at least win one of the finals just now. Moreover, we have our strongest teams in the Triple event.

“In the end, we won not one, but two golds to exceed our target. We could not have been happier… I’m really proud of the achievement,” Wahadir said after the prize presentation.

Wahadir hoped the victories would be a great motivation for the players to push for more medals in the two remaining petanque events namely the men’s and women’s the Team competitions.