Uphill battle for Sarawak at MSSM Championships

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KUCHING: A three-way battle for supremacy between Sabah, Johor and Sarawak looms as the 59th national schools track & field championships (MSSM) enters the final day at the City Stadium, Penang today (April 28). Sarawak is facing fierce resistance in its mission to retain the overall title despite picking up two more gold medals on the third day of competition yesterday.

Albert Tiong Kah Hao broke the MSSM Boys U-12 shot put record which had stood longer than twice his age. The Primary Six student from SJK (C) Su Ming in Sarikei threw 14.98m to smash Kelantan’s Nazri Mamat old mark of 14.70m created in 1989. His schoolmate Lu Teck Yi took the bronze with his best of 13.16m behind Muhd Fitri of Sabah who threw 13.90m.

Samuel Ling Jeng Yi was even more dominant in the Boys U-18 shot put final. The fifth former from Miri’s SMK Chung Hua made three throws over the MSSM record of 16.66m established by Selangor’s Muhd Aidil Taufek only last year.  Samuel’s best throw measured 18.21m, sweeping aside silver medallist Muhd Faqriez of Kelantan (16.35m) and bronze winner Farm Loong Deng of Negri Sembilan (15.70m).

Sarawak officials are keeping their fingers crossed that nine athletes can deliver on the final day of competition for a potential haul of six more gold medals which they hope will be enough to clinch the overall title: Johnny Ling (Boys Open hammer), Grace Wong (Girls Open hammer), Matsyawalludin Mohd Muis and McClair Jenggut (Boys U-18 triple jump), Karen Rejie (Girls U-12 200m), Girls U-12 4x200m relay quartet and Rozales Sigau (Boys U-12 200m).

Johnny, the reigning ASEAN schools champion, and Grace, current national women’s record holder, will be out to defend their titles in the hammer event.

In the absence of last year’s three medallists, Matsyawalludin – fourth last year – and McClair – 2015 U-15 champion – will have a fighting chance in Boys U-18 triple jump.

Karen was the fastest qualifier in yesterday’s heats for the Girls U-12 200m final with a time of 27.36sec. She will team up with three others in the 4 x 200m relay final, including 100m winner Dolly Uring Jau, for a repeat of Wed night’s victory in the 4 x 100m relay.

Rozales qualified for today’s Boys U-12 200m final with the second best time of 25.83sec in yesterday’s heats.

At the end of the third day of competition last night, Sabah and Johor are leading with 10 gold medals each ahead of Sarawak with eight.