Sukma XXI: Sarawak sounds early warning after grabbing taekwondo’s first two gold medals

KUCHING (Aug 16): Sarawak sounded an early warning in the sport of taekwondo for the 21st Malaysia Games (Sukma XXI) when it grabbed the first two gold medals during the event’s opening today (Aug 16).

The Sarawak women’s team contributed the first gold through trio Farah Nabilla Maddarus, Siti Yusriyyah Zailani, and Willemien Lai Lin, who managed 7.70 points to win the women’s poomsae.

Johor’s Ling Lau You, Lim Xin Zi, and Yong Si Ting won the silver with 7.54 points, followed by Yow Mei Xin, Loh Wai Yee, and Soo Wei Shan from Penang, who took home the bronze with 7.29 points.

Trio Fedealis Kom Twin, Mohd Isshahril Mazlan, and Randy Owen Augustine Linggi delivered the second taekwondo gold medal after their neat moves powered them to the top for men’s poomsae.

They collected the highest score of 8.01 points, clearly outscoring Federal Territories’ Chee Bo Qin, Dixon Loh, and Tan Vee Liam (7.65 points) who won silver, and Perak’s Choong Jian Xian, Choe Ming Feng, and Riky Chong (7.35 points) who won the bronze.

Sarawak assistant chef-de-mission for taekwondo Azizul Annuar Adenan said he hoped the Sarawak contingent would be able to surpass the Sukma medal target for taekwondo of four gold medals.