Sukma XXI: Sabah wushu squad exceed target with three golds, one silver

KUCHING (Aug 16): Unheralded Dione Babyline Fely defied the odds to clinch gold as Sabah wrapped up their Wushu competition at the 21st Malaysia Games (Sukma) on a high note.

The state squad won three Sanda golds and one Taolu silver to surpass the one-gold target set in the country’s premier multi-sport event.

Dione’s victory in the women’s 52kg was certainly the highlight for Sabah’s victorious end to the competition.

The 18-year-old debutant from Pitas picked up the sport only four months ago to make her rise to the top even more impressive.

“It never crossed my mind to win a medal, let alone become a Sukma champion.

“To win my first bout certainly helped build my confidence to face opponents who are more experience… I gave my all in the final.

“I’m extremely happy to have won in only my second major tournament and more so contribute gold for my beloved State,” she said when met after beating Felicity Wong Xin Nee of Selangor.

“I want to thank all including my family, my coach at SMK Kanibungan Pitas and also coach Alex (Fong).

“I have learnt so much from them and I will continue to train harder to become better,” added Dione.

Earlier, Amirah Sofea Azlan has the distinction of winning Sabah’s first gold in the on-going Sukma.

Cheered on by chef-de-mission Datuk Mansur Asun and Sabah Sports Council director Mohd Asneh Mohd Noor, the Keningau athlete defeated another Selangor exponent Batrisya Izzati Mohd Nasir in the women’s 52kg.

The victory ensured Sofea followed in the footsteps of her elder sister, national karateka Amirah Syahirah, in winning Sukma gold.

Syahirah won two golds in the 2022 Sukma in Kuala Lumpur while in 2018, she was a Muaythai bronze medalist.

The third gold from Wushu came from Fyenlly Hilmon in the men’s 52kg following his win against Sarawak’s Bong Shien Hiu.

“Three golds… that was unexpected. Dione rose to the occasion despite little was expected of her.

“I’m really happy with how we ended the competition,” said team manager Ronald James Tee Chee Xiang.

Meanwhile, Ericsson Bong made sure the Wushu Taolu team also concluded the Games with a medal.

After two-day of dissapointment, Bong scored 9.590 points to finish second behind Penang’s Muhammad Danish Aizad Mohd Firdaus Chua (9.620 points) in the men’s Gunshu final.

The bronze medal went to Ronn Lee of Melaka with 9.576 points.