Sabah rake in biggest medal haul to finish second overall
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah recorded their biggest medal haul to finish as the runners-up in the XIX Malaysia Para Games (Para Sukma) that concluded in Perak on Wednesday.
The 159-member state contingent (98 athletes and 61 officials) bagged 36 gold, 28 silver and 30 bronze medals in the premier multi-sport events for athletes with disabilities.
The impressive tally ensured Sabah exceeded their target of 24 gold, 21 silver and 23 bronze medals.
To top it all, Sabah also bettered their medals haul from the Para Sukma 2016 in Sarawak by a big margin where they won 25 gold, 23 silver and 26 bronze medals then.
There was more good news for the State contingent when Jacklon Ganding won the Best Male Athlete after winning three gold medals while setting as many new Para Sukma records.
Sabah’s Chef De Mission, the Youth and Sports Ministry permanent secretary Datuk Hj Awang Damit Hj Awang Anak, was a mirror of happiness when met upon arrival at the Kota Kinabalu International Airport yesterday.
He described the achievement as ‘extra-ordinary’.
“It was our best ever performance in the history of the Para Sukma...the achievement was extra-ordinary.
“Congratulations to the contingent for improving on the gold medal haul that saw us finish as the runners-up... they have made Sabah proud,” he said.
As for Jacklon, 19, he was surprised after being named as the Best Male Athlete in the Para Sukma.
“I did not expect to win the award,” he said after his record breaking feats in the men’s T37 class events for 100m (12.39s) and 200m (25.74s) and long jump (5.39m).
“I did not win gold in my first two Para Sukmas at Perlis 2014 and Sarawak 2016 but this time I won three...I’m really happy,” said the eldest of six siblings who hails from Keningau.
“My next target will be to compete at the Para ASEAN Games 2019 and will do my best to win gold for the country,” added Jacklon who was also part of the national contingent in the Asian Para Games 2018 in Indonesia where his best finish was a fourth placing.
Meanwhile, the bulk of medals came from track and field events with 19 gold, 12 silver and 10 bronze medals.
Swimming followed with six gold, three silver and four bronze medals, table tennis (four gold, five silver, 11 bronze), archery (three gold, four silver, one bronze), chess (three gold, three silver, two bronzes), badminton (one gold, one bronze) and tenpin bowling (one silver, one bronze).
Sabah finished behind Sarawak who successfully defended their overall champions title with an impressive haul of 61 gold, 62 silver and 39 bronze medals while hosts Perak are third with 29 gold, 33 silver and 22 bronze medals.
The state contingents arrived home yesterday where Sabah Sports Council director Terrance Pudin was among those who welcomed the state special athletes. - By Lester J. Bingkasan