Sapok Biki continues to inspire national boxers

KUCHING: The success of the national boxing team in securing one gold, one silver and one bronze medals at the Kuala Lumpur SEA Games last year has given confidence to team manager Datuk Rahman Lariwoo for the upcoming Commonwealth Games.

“The achievement of our boxers at SEA Games 2017 had proven that they are capable of competing and winning medals in the international arena.

“I hope that this excellent performance in SEA Games can be continued in the Commonwealth Games at Gold Coast, Australia in April,” he said.

In particular, he is hoping that the boxers could repeat the feat of the legendary Sarawakian Sapok Biki who won the gold medal in the Kuala Lumpur Commonwealth Games in 1998.

“If this target can be achieved, it will end the gold drought for Malaysia for two decades.

“Certainly we are targeting to win gold this edition and my dream is that our boxers can repeat the feat by Sapok Biki.

“Based on the achievement at the Kuala Lumpur SEA Games, I think this task is not impossible because our boxers are equally good,” he added.

Nevertheless, Rahman said Malaysian boxers can expect stiff competition in the search for glory at the Gold Coast.

Rahman is the only Sarawakian who is a team manager of the national team.