PENANG finished in the seventh spot in the 20th Sukma (Malaysia Games) as the curtain was brought down after two weeks of competition, winning a total of 30 gold, 28 silver, and 42 bronze medals.
It surpassed its medal target of 26 gold, 20 silver and 44 bronze medals.
Johor emerged as the overall champions with 77 gold, 52 silver and 43 bronze medals, followed by 2018 champions Terengganu (64-49-56), Federal Territory (55-68-64), Sarawak (32-42-53). Selangor (31-55-44) and Sabah (30-29-39). A total of 15 contingents took part in the Games.
In the last Sukma held in Perak in 2018, Penang garnered 32 gold, 30 silver and 31 bronze medals to finish in the 7th spot.
National silat exponent Mohamad Hafiz Halim, as expected, won a gold medal for Penang as he successfully defended his title in the G-75-80kg event at Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM) in Nilai, Negeri Sembilan.
He thanked his coaches and parents for their guidance.
“I will compete in the ASEAN Silat Games in Kashmir in a few months. And I hope to do well,” said the Gunung Semanggol-born lad.
His teammate Mohd Ridzuan Abdullah, who was in tears after finishing second in men’s 50-55kg, was consoled by team officials and coaches.
Boxer Mohd Asuad Abdul Halim grabbed the 30th and last gold medal for Penang in today’s competition when he lived up to expectations in the men’s light middle 67-71kg event in Putrajaya.
Showing strong stamina and impressive skills, Asuad had the better of Erron Liaw Kok Sheng of Sabah to finish as champion.
The presence of a number of supporters from the Penang camp, including chef-de-mission Soon Lip Chee, who is the state Youth and Sports Committee chairman, and Penang State Sports Council director Harry Chai, further inspired Asuad to victory.
This was the second gold medal won by the Penang boxing team as first-timer Ng Zhang Zhen proved too strong for Muhammad Haziq Muhammad Rizal of Johor in the men’s middleweight 71-75kg category yesterday.
Soon was later given the honour to present the prize to Asuad.
Meanwhile, state shuttler Tan Zhing Yi bagged a bronze medal in the women’s singles event.
Story by Edmund Lee
Pix by Ahmad Adil Muhamad