Sukma XXI: Sarawak bags one gold, two silver medals in first day judo events

SIBU (Aug 21): Sarawak clinched one gold and two silver medals in the 21st Malaysia Games (Sukma) judo events which started today at UiTM Mukah.

Tan Xin Hung bagged the gold medal in the women’s 83kg category while the two silver medals were contributed by Leng Ko Jia in the women’s 70kg category and Micheal Leano Jerim in the men’s 60kg category.

Sarawak Judo Association (PJS) president Dato Sri Lau Kueng Chai said he was happy with the state judokas performance, though more could be achieved had they assembled a full team for the event.

He said they did not have judokas for kata and sparring events, hence they could not come up with a full team.

“That is the area we lose out to other states, but nevertheless, we are happy with our current results,” he said.

PJS secretary Ngiam Sze Yuan commended Tan for giving a splendid performance despite being down with injury in the first round.

“She persevered and managed to fend off her challenger from Terengganu to bag the gold medal. It was simply not easy,” he said.

Ngiam said Michael also performed beyond expectation to collect the silver medal.

“However, the biggest disappointment is Leng who is strongly tipped to grab the gold medal. She lost out to her more senior and experienced player from Johor,” he said.

Seven more gold medal events will be competed tomorrow for judo, and Ngiam said Sarawak have a few more medal prospects.

“It depends on their performance tomorrow,” he added.