Sarawak weightlifter Jelinie crowned Sukma XVII sportswoman

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National discus thrower Muhammad Irfan Shamsuddin from Negeri Sembilan and Sarawak weightlifter Jenilie Empera with their Sportsman and Sportswoman award after the Sukma XVII closing ceremony. — Bernama photo

National discus thrower Muhammad Irfan Shamsuddin from Negeri Sembilan and Sarawak weightlifter Jenilie Empera were crowned Sportsman and Sportswoman of the 17th Perlis Sukma during a glittering closing ceremony on Wednesday.

Both winners received a trophy each from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak who officially closed the Sukma at the Tuanku Syed Putra Stadium, here after 11 days of competition.

Muhammad Irfan, 19, smashed his own National discus record of 53.16m that was set during the Myanmar SEA Games last year with a new distance of 54.26m while Empera swept both the Snatch and Clean & Jerk gold medals in the Above 75kg category, en route to setting two new Sukma records.

Federal Territories (FT) accumulated 55 gold medals to emerge as the overall champion in the 17th Perlis Sukma, beating defending champion Terengganu who managed 51 gold medals.

Meanwhile, fireworks lighted up the sky in Perlis when the 17th Sukma came to a close in glittering fashion while Perlis Menteri Besar Azlan Man later handed over the Sukma flag to National Sports Council director-general Datuk Seri Zolkples Embong.

About 20,000 athletes, fans and supporters thronged the stadium to watch the closing ceremony. — Bernama