MIRI: Kuching will have a lot of catching up to do if they want to dethrone defending champions Miri on the fourth and final day of the 39th Sarawak Schools Sports Council (MSSS) Track and Field Championship here today.
GLORIOUS WALK: (From left) Betong’s Kelly Gupi, Douglas Laga Unan and Yvonne Ayang show their medals after the walking events. — Photos by Davidson Kho
GOLDEN THROW: Michael Sia of Sarikei winning the Boys’ Open hammer throw with a distance of 46.17m.
The State Capital added six more gold, four silver and one bronze medals with three fourth and three fifth placings to their tally for a total of 272 points after the third day.
With a 32-point-gap to close in second place, they will have to produce something special if they harbour hopes of raining on the parade of their northern rivals.
Miri, the reigning titleholders and host, yesterday tightened their grip on the competition, toting up 304 points from a haul of 21 gold, 17 silver and 20 bronze medals plus 20 fourth and 10 fifth placings.
Third-placed Sibu trailed in third spot with five gold, 10 silver and 13 bronze medals, nine fourth placings and 12 fifth placings.
Sarikei surged to fourth spot by capturing three gold medals in the throwing events to push Bintulu into fifth place.
Sarikei’s gold medallists were Jackson Wong in Boys’ U-15 discus, Tiong Mee Yien in Girls’ Open hammer throw and Michael Sia in Boys’ Open hammer throw.
Betong dominated the walking events with Kelly Gupi taking the Girls’ U-15 3,000m gold in 18:02.61 and Douglas Laga Unan the Boys’ U-15 5,000m gold in 26:43.33.
Betong, with 75 points, are placed sixth — one point ahead of Samarahan, followed by Kapit (55) and Sri Aman (51).
Mukah, the only team yet to win a gold medal, are 10th spot with 28 points with Limbang last with 18 points.
Thirty-six more gold medals are at stake on the final day today.