KUCHING: Defending champions Sarawak got off to a flying start in the 54th Malaysian Schools Sports Council (MSSM) Track and Field Championship when they captured six gold, four silver and one bronze medals on the first day of competition at Stadium Utama, Kangar, Perlis yesterday.
The first gold was delivered by 12-year-old Samuel Ling Jing Yi from SJK Chung San, Miri in the Boys U12 shot putt.
Ling won the event with a throw of 13.67m, with Loh Hao Ze of Pulau Pinang coming in second with 12.99m and Kedah’s Bulkhari Rasali was third with his mark of 12.44m.
The golden trail was followed by 14-year-old Norris Foo from SMK St Elisabeth, Sibu who won the Girls U15 100m hurdles. It was a one-two finish for Sarawak when Shelma Sharon Anyhony James came in second in the event.
Four other golds were won by Mohd Rizzua Haizad Muhammad in the Boys U15 110m hurdles, Mohd Fazillah Khamis in the Boys U18 110m hurdles, Billy Edward in the Boys U18 javelin and Erlyisiana Jhatty Buma in the Girls U15 high jump.
The three other silver medallists were Raphael Asun (Boys U18 javelin), Ariana Nurminda Arifin (Girls U15 400m) and Norkamisah Wati Said (Girls U15 high jump).
Celine Kong was the solitary winner of the bronze medal in the Girls U15 javelin.
“It was a very good start for us although it was two short of the eight gold medals we targeted today. We got three each from track and field events,” said Majlis Sukan Sekolah-Sekolah Sarawak development and technical chairman Ting Siew Nguong yesterday.
He hoped that the state athletes would keep the winning momentum going today and the next few days to help Sarawak defend its overall championship crown.
For the record, Sarawak has won the championship for 15 times since 1997. They lost the title to Terengganu in 2009.
“Today’s results will also serve as a confidence booster for the other members to do well in this championship,” he added.
The 11-medal haul yesterday put Sarawak on top of the medals table while neighbours Sabah in second with 2 golds, 3 silvers and two bronzes, and Perak in third with a medal haul of 2 golds, 2 silvers and 3 bronzes.
In fourth place are Kuala Lumpur (2-2-3), fifth Johor (2-1-1), while sixth to 11th are Terengganu (2-0-1), Kedah (1-3-1), Kelantan (1-2-1), Pulau Pinang (1-1-0), Melaka (0-1-2) and Selangor (0-0-4).
Those teams who have yet to win any medal including host Perlis are Labuan, Negeri Sembilan and Pahang.
Nineteen gold medals were at stake yesterday while another 21 are on offer in today’s competition.