THE Penang contingent clinched three golds at the 20th Sukma (Malaysia Games) in Kuala Lumpur today to surpass its 26-gold medal target.
Setting a target of 26 gold, 20 silver and 44 bronze medals, Penang have so far amassed 28 gold, 27 silver and 42 bronze medals.
It would have been a glorious night for Penang had its football team won the gold medal for the first time in 36 years since the first Sukma began in 1986, but they lost to 2-0 to Terengganu in a hard-fought final at the Cheras Stadium in Kuala Lumpur.
Sailor Israr Hazim delivered the all-important gold medal for Penang to reach its target of 26th gold when he triumphed in the Laser Standard (ILCA7) in Langkawi waters.
Fellow sailors, River Ng and Ng Yu Fey, gave a good account of themselves to win a bronze medal each in the girl’s Optimist U-15 and women’s Techno 293 respectively.
In the men’s middleweight 71-75kg boxing category in Putrajaya, debutant Ng Zhang Zhen punched his way to the gold medal when he proved too strong for Muhammad Haziq Muhammad Rizal from Johor, winning in three straight rounds.
Immediately after the match, Zhang Zhen ran to hug his coaches and some of the Penang State Sports Council (MSNPP) officials who were celebrating Penang’s first gold medal in the boxing championships in the current Sukma.
Among those who congratulated him were chef-de-mission Soon Lip Chee and Penang State Sports Council (MSNPP) director Harry Chai.
“I want to dedicate the victory to my parents, coaches, teammates and friends for supporting me.
“Also many thanks to both YB Lee Khai Loon (Machang Bubok assemblyman) and Permatang Pauh MP Nurul Izzah Anwar for assisting me to train in Indonesia
“As a cheeky and playful teenager, I wanted to take up boxing and get into the ring. However, some of my relatives and friends had misconception about boxing.
“But I hope my success speaks for itself. I am really thrilled and proud of my achievement, Now, I will train earnestly to get into the national team so that I can compete in the SEA Games in Cambodia next year,” said the 22-year-old Machang Bubok young lad.
His 19-year-old teammate R. Pavithran can be proud of himself after coming close to winning the Light Fly 46-48kg category in his first Sukma appearance before settling for the silver medal.
“I tried my best. I believe that my coaches and parents are happy with my performance.
“This exposure will put me in good stead and I intend to train harder and win in the next Sukma,” he said.
Over to the petanque event in Pudu Ulu, Cheras, the Penang women’s team overcame Kelantan to win the gold medal.
The Penang team consisted of Nor Intan Sari Khalid, Nur Ayuni Md Yusri, Nur Fatin Suhaimi, Nur Nisa Nadhirah Mohd Tirmeezy, Nurul Anis Nasir, Siti Aishah Zaini and Wong Yun Yi.
Meanwhile, at the Cheras Stadium in Kuala Lumpur, the Penang football team, which last qualified for the final 22 years ago in 2000 when Penang was the host, managed to get a silver medal after a tough battle against Terengganu.
The Penang team lost 2-0 but they did remarkably well en route to the final.
Terengganu opened scoring in the 24th minute through a header by captain Muhamamad Safwan Mazlan and then went further ahead after Penang’s Muhammad Aidil Azman scored an own goal in the 84th minute.
This was Terengganu’s fourth Sukma football gold medal after having achieved a golden hattrick in 2006, 2008 and 2010 editions.
Story by Edmund Lee
Pix by Ahmad Adil Muhamad