Ong (sixth right) presents the overall champion’s trophy to a representative of the Terengganu team while Gerald (fourth left), Christine (fifth left) and other guests and officials look on. — Photos by Teo Chi Wei
KUCHING: Sarawak finished third overall in the National Junior and Senior Weightlifting Championship, Sarawak Circuit that ended at tHESpring Shopping Mall on Thursday.
The home team led by state head coach Edmund Yeo collected 354 points to finish behind overall champions Terengganu who collected 1,029 points and first runners-up Sabah who collected 539 points.
Sarawak Sports Corporation chief executive officer Dr Ong Kong Swee, who represented Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, closed the event and gave away the prizes.
Also present were Sarawak Weightlifting Association president Gerald Rentap Jabu, tHESpring Shopping Mall general manager Datin Christine Ling and other guests.
Dr Ong was happy and proud that the competition was very well organised.
“Well done and congratulations to the lifters who won medals and this is an early indication of their respective capabilities,” he said.
He hoped that the athletes concerned would strive hard to improve their performance and prepare for other future competitions.
Jerry Gawan won the gold medal in the Men’s 107kg.
Earlier, Layar assemblyman Gerald extended his appreciation and thanked to all those who had contributed and supported the competition.
“This championship is the best platform for all participating teams to identify potential athletes to form strong teams for future events,” he added.
A total of 128 athletes from 15 teams took part in the event that commenced last Sunday.
The teams are Sarawak, Sabah, Johor, Pahang, Armed Forces, Police, Perak, Selangor, Terengganu, Kedah, Perlis, Putrajaya, National Sports Council, Kelantan and Penang.