Unprecedented haul of 11 golds by S’wak Taekwondo team at Sukma XX1, more expected to be achieved

KUCHING (Aug 20): Sarawak’s Taekwondo contingent has achieved an unprecedented feat at the 21st Malaysia Games (Sukma) by winning 11 gold medals in just three days of the competitions, breaking the 2016 Games record of eight golds.

Congratulating the team for their remarkable achievements, Sarawak Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Minister Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah remarked that the Sarawak team had in fact exceeded expectations by surpassing the original target of seven golds.

“I have been very delighted and happy with the performance of the Taekwondo team even though before the start of Sukma, we were given an indication that they might be able to deliver up to seven golds.

“But even before the Taekwondo competitions have ended, we have already gotten 11 golds which is something that amazed me and I think all Sarawakians are very happy with the performance of our Taekwondo team,” he told reporters after presenting the medals to some of the winners at Sarawak Indoor Stadium yesterday.

Abdul Karim expressed optimism that the Sarawak contingent could still secure more gold medals in the last two days of the Taekwondo competitions until Tuesday and believed Taekwondo will be the best performing sports for Sarawak in Sukma this year.

Commenting on Sarawak’s overall performance in the 21st Sukma, Abdul Karim said the state was on track to be named the overall champion, particularly with the Sarawak contingent making it into the finals of various sports categories.

“In the muaythai events, we have five finals tomorrow and I might just drop by Bintulu to give support to them (Sarawak athletes),” said Abdul Karim, adding the Sarawak team will also be competing in the finals of cricket and the boxing sports look promising.

Among those in attendance were Sarawak Taekwondo Association president Azizul Annuar Adenan and patron Datuk Amar Jamilah Anu.