Husan (right) and Yong (second right) with the runners from SMK Katibas.
SIBU: Runners from SMK Katibas from Song staged a stellar performance in the 8th edition of Sibu BP Run 2018 when the team captured three out of five titles at stake.
Sukma-bound Husan Hasing lifted the title in the 10km Men’s Open category, Jaselina Jelani bagged the title in the 10km Girls’ Junior category while Gerijih Unal romped home to victory in the 5km Fun Run.
The school teacher cum coach Yong Zinn Fei took the second placing in the Men’s Open while Nia Kanisius grabbed the fourth placing in the Girl’s Junior.
Emilia Panau and Sofia Amor meanwhile finished in 11th and 12th placings in the Girl’s Junior.
A beaming Yong said he was satisfied with the team’s performance, though he was expecting a better results.
‘In the past editions, we even produced a 1-2-3 finish in the Girl’s Junior. This time, we only managed to win the champion’s title in this category. But still, it is better than nothing,” he added.
Yong said the Sibu BP Run have been synonymous with the school and they had been taking part in the run since the 3rd edition.
“It’s a good event and we are always looking forward to it,” he added.
Personally, Yong had returned with the top four positions in the past five editions.
“I still missed the elusive title and hopefully, I can win it next year.”
Meanwhile, Husan said he was competing at the event as a preparation for the coming Sukma XIX in Perak.
The 19-year-old Form Six student of SMK Katibas Husan will compete in 1,500m and 3,000m steeplechase.
Husan said he would try his best to bring back at least a medal from both events.
“A medal of any colour will do and that will be a big achievement to me already,” he added.
In the last Sukma, Husan also competed in both events but failed to shine.
He will be leaving for centralised training in Kuching next week before proceeding to Perak.
For 13-year-old Jaselina, she was making her debut at the Sibu BP Run 2018 and tasted immediate success.
Jaselina is a cross country runner who represented Sarawak in the 2018 MSSM Cross Country run where she won the gold medal.
For Gerijih, it was his second Sibu BP Run title, having won the first in the 6th edition in 2016.
He also took part in 2017 Sibu Marathon Run and won second placing.
“Sibu BP Run is very challenging and hopefully, I can come back to compete for the 2019 edition,” he said.