S’wak finish third in 2018 SOPMA
KUCHING: Sarawak captured six gold, six silver and two bronze medals to finish third overall behind the Federal Territory (7-105) and Sabah (6-7- 8) in the Sukan Orang Pekak Malaysia (SOPMA) held in Ipoh, Perak from Oct 15 to 20.
The 14 medals were won in athletics, tenpin bowling and badminton.
Maria Melisa Mohd Mohtiar was the toast of the team as she not only bagged three gold medals in the women’s shot put, discus and javelin but also created a new meet record in the javelin.
Her teammate Carrie Kepani also impressed with a gold medal and new record in the women’s long jump as well as silver medals in the 100m and 200m.
The two other medals in athletics were contributed by Joyce Hii Ming Shi in the women’s shot put and Chan Khing Hing in the men’s discus.
Meanwhi le, Sia Chew Ing, Siw Sing Hie, Siong Mui Hong, Nurlyanna Arnezza Suzalee and Nurul Farhanna Wahab won the only gold for Sarawak in tenpin bowling in the women’s team event.
ChewIngalsobaggedthewomen’s masters silver and another silver in the women’s doubles when she combined with singles bronze medalist Mui Hong.
The shuttlers brought home one gold medal through the mixed doubles pair of Tie Sing Kiong and Annabel Aurelia Donald.
Sing Kiong also won the bronze in the men’s singles.
Chef- de-mission of the Sarawak Contingent Datuk Francis Harden Hollis, who is also the Assistant Mini s t e r for C ommuni t y Wellbeing, visited all the athletes during the games.
The Simanggang assemblyman said the Sarawak government would like to help in the talent search and training of more young athletes from different regions of the state. The Ministry, he added, would also set up a one- stop training centre for athletes.
S a r awa k D e a f S p o r t s Association president Albert Wong congratulated the athletes, saying that they are the inspiration for the others.