Sabah retain athletics supremacy
Sabahan athletes coninued their dominance by retaining supremacy at the Malaysian Internaional Master Athletics Open Championships in Kuala Lumpur recently.
KOTA KINABALU: Sabahan athletes continued their dominance by retaining supremacy at the Malaysian International Master Athletics Open Championships in Kuala Lumpur recently.
The Sabah Masters Athletics Association (SAMAS) demonstrated their prowess after retaining the overall crown with 57 gold, 20 silver and 10 bronze medals at the 39th edition of the championship held in the national capital on July 14.
Aside from overcoming strong challenges from other states, SAMAS athletes also out-performed 14 international teams at the two-day event which attracted 889 participants.
SAMAS president Aliudin Jumaat, when contacted yesterday, congratulated all the Sabahan athletes who competed in the championship.
“The presence of SAMAS athletes, with their outstanding achievements, made a huge impact in elevating state pride at these championships.
“Solid preparation as well as international exposure helped our athletes to display the highest level of athleticism in the pursuit of gold medals,” he said.
A total of 31 gold medals, 11 silver and six bronze were won by male athletes, while women contributed 26 gold, nine silver and four bronze.
Aliudin, along with fellow world class athletes Alfred Lajawa, Pius Kondokor and Juliana Gumpil were among the top performers in the championships. They each won four gold medals with Juliana aiding in the clinch of the 4x100 meter and 4x400m gold medals.
“SAMAS would like to record their thanks to the Youth and Sports Ministry for their support as well as to the Sabah Sports Council and Sabah Sports Board for similar backing. We were able to achieve such results through our daily training and annual activities thanks to their undying support.
“Huge thanks also go to our sponsors, individuals and SAMAS committee members who have endured to ensure that our association continues to produce athletes of calibre from time to time,” Aliudin said.
SAMAS deputy president David William, who was part of the contingent, also received thanks from Aliudin.
The SAMAS gold medal winners include Gilbert Divancy, Narul Andau, Chung Yung Kiong, Tarmizi Sandhu, Jiprin Jusdi, Jikut @ Julius Komuning, Pan Vui Jiun, Charles Linggam, Maulani Diman, Ramlan Goddess and Shamry Mohd Ali from the men’s squad.
The women gold medal winners are Maiteh Sadiman, Tay Yu Eng, Clarice Mojigoh, Christina Labanjing, Adenah Lojuhon, Bernice Lau, Maryem Joinol, Susanna Hiew, Laura Dosui and Laura Dosui.