Tugang sisters add medals to family’s weightlifting legacy at Suksar IV

BETONG (Feb 7): What began as a father’s passion for weightlifting has blossomed into a family tradition, with four out of five children from a Sarikei-based family now actively involved in the sport.

The Tugang family enjoyed a memorable outing at the Sarawak Games (Suksar) IV 2026 weightlifting competition, which concluded today at Dewan Panglima Rentap here, after two of the daughters contributed to the family’s medal haul.

Sixteen-year-old Tesalonika Rose Sopiah Dubau Tugang emerged as the star performer, winning two gold medals, while her younger sister, 13-year-old Rosalia Teresalonika Viphia Tugang, added two bronze medals to the family’s achievements.

Their mother, Rosline Sunan, who admitted to being camera-shy, said she was proud of her daughters’ performances.

“I am so happy to see the performances of my two girls during Suksar. As their mother, nothing makes me happier than seeing them achieve success and be happy with their achievements.

“I never told them what to do with their lives. Their choice to become weightlifters is their own. We never forced them. Maybe they became interested after seeing their father, who is also a weightlifter,” she said.

Father, Tugang Tamba, who works with the Sarawak Sports Corporation and is based in Sarikei, shared similar sentiments.

“I am glad that my children followed me to love the sport. I am also a weightlifter and nothing makes me happier than seeing my children involved in the sport that I love,” he said.

Tesalonika, who only began training seriously last year, said she was thrilled with her breakthrough performance.

“I only started doing this in 2025 and I am very happy with my achievement today. I am excited about the prospect of representing Sarawak in Sukma this year in Selangor, and I also aspire to represent Malaysia.

“I am very grateful for the support shown by my family towards my sports career,” she said.

Rosalia, meanwhile, said she hopes to build on her early success.

“I am happy with my achievement and I hope to win more honours in the future,” she said.

Their eldest son, Felix Tugang, 21, who has represented Sarawak in Sukma in 2022 and 2024 and is set to compete again this year, said he was proud of his sisters’ progress.

“Of course I am very happy with my sisters’ achievement. They are involved in the sport that I love. I want all my siblings to be involved in weightlifting.

“Now four out of five of us are involved. My youngest brother is still young, and when he is old enough, I will surely bring him into this sport,” he said.

The family currently resides in Sarikei. Tugang is originally from Song, Rosline from Kapit, and Felix is now based in Kuching.

The Suksar IV 2026 weightlifting event, held from February 5-7, served as a key platform to identify and prepare young talents for Sukma XXII 2026 in Selangor.

Organised by the Sarawak Sports Corporation and Sarawak State Sports Council, the competition featured athletes from four major zones and witnessed several standout performances, including Tesalonika’s dominance in the women’s +86kg category.