Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Terengganu Sukma Contingent Get RM1.3 Mln Windfall

KUALA TERENGGANU, June 23 (Bernama)-- The Terengganu government gave a RM1.3 million reward to the state's Malaysia Games contingent following their emerging overall champions when its 12th edition was hosted here last month.

Athletes who captured the gold received RM3,000 for each medal while for silver and bronze it was RM2,000 and RM1,000 respectively per medal. Those who broke Games' records received an additional RM1,000 per record broken.

At a special ceremony to celebrate their 61 gold, 39 silver and 47 victory at the Indoor Stadium at the Gong Badak Sports Complex here last night, the coaches and team managers of the winning teams were also duly rewarded. Menteri Besar Datuk Ahmad Said presented the incentives to the winners.

Woman canoeist Siti Rajiah Ali, 18, was the biggest winner taking home RM21,OOO for winning six gold medals and setting three new Games records. She also received a watch worth RM1,000 after being named as the best female state athlete at the Games.

The top male athlete was Mohd Azizul Hasni Awang, who won the 1km and 200m sprints in cycling.

Ahmad, who was elated by the state's performance in dislodging six-times champions Selangor at the prestigious Games, also announced that all the gold medal winners would be given the opportunity to compete in next year's Arafura Games in Darwin, Australia, which will be held from May 9 to 17.

-- BERNAMA

Monday, June 9, 2008

Medals Tally

Kontingen-Kontingen JUMLAH
PINGAT
Terengganu D.I.
61
39
47
147
Selangor D.E.
54
47
52
153
Sarawak
52
52
42
146
Pahang D.M.
31
29
25
85
W.Persekutuan
29
38
57
124
Kedah D.A.
29
27
39
95
Perak D.R.
29
27
37
93
Pulau Pinang
27
31
47
105
Johor D.T.
27
31
40
98
Melaka
23
22
27
72
Sabah
21
20
31
72
N. Sembilan D.K.
11
21
35
67
Kelantan D.N.
8
9
18
35
Perlis I.K.
4
6
8
18
Brunei D.S.
0
2
0
2
Jumlah
406
401
505
1312

Swimmers Jian Beng, Marellyn Liew Crowned Sportsman, Sportswoman Of Sukma

Swimmers Foo Jian Beng (left) of Selangor and Sabah’s Marellyn Liew (inset) were crowned Men’s and Women’s Athletes of the Games respectively after both won three gold medals each.
Swimmers Foo Jian Beng (left) of Selangor and Sabah’s Marellyn Liew (inset) were crowned Men’s and Women’s Athletes of the Games respectively after both won three gold medals each. (NST Picture)


By Jaiarajo Letchumanan

KUALA TERENGGANU, June 9 (Bernama) -- Selangor swimmer Foo Jian Beng was disappointed that he was not able to qualify for the Beijing Olympics in August despite bettering the qualifying time in the men's 100m butterfly.

But there was consolation for the 18-year-old student, who is also a part time swimming coach in Selangor, when he was named as the Sukma sportsman for breaking two national records and one championship record in the 12th edition of the biennial games which came to an end Monday.

Jian Beng's national record of 50.94s in the 100m bettered the Olympic qualifying time of 50.95s and erased former national swimmer Allan Ong's old record of 51.31s set at the 2001 Kuala Lumpur SEA Games.

However, the Sukma is not recognised as one of the qualifying meets for the Olympics and put paid to Jian Beng's hopes of donning national colours in Beijing.

"It is just too bad that Sukma is not recognized as one of the qualifying tournament for the Olympics. Of course I was disappointed with that but winning the sportsman award is some consolation for that disappointment," said Jian Beng.

Jian Beng's other gold medals came in the men's 50m butterfly where he also set a new national record with a time of 23.45s, erasing the old record of 23.49s set by Allan Ong also in 2001.

His third gold came from the men's 4x100m relay when he anchored Selangor to the gold to a new games record.

Jian Beng also won four silvers -- in the 200m individual medley, 50m backstroke, 200m freestyle and 100m butterfly.

Sabah swimmer Marellyn Liew was adjudged the best Sportswoman for setting one national record and one championship record on her way to three gold medals.

She set a new national record in the women's 100m butterfly with a new time of 1:01.82s, rewriting Luisa Los Santos' old record of 1:02.08s set at the Korat SEA Games last year.

Marellyn anchored Sabah to a new games record in the 4x100m of 3:56.51s, rewriting their own record of 4:01.69s set at the 2004 SUKMA in Negri Sembilan and also set a new games record in the 50m.



-- BERNAMA

Sunday, June 8, 2008

Medals Tally

Kontingen-Kontingen JUMLAH
PINGAT
Terengganu D.I.
59
39
46
144
Selangor D.E.
53
46
51
150
Sarawak
52
52
42
146
Pahang D.M.
31
27
25
83
W.Persekutuan
29
38
57
124
Kedah D.A.
29
27
38
94
Perak D.R.
29
27
37
93
Pulau Pinang
27
30
46
103
Johor D.T.
26
31
40
97
Melaka
23
22
27
72
Sabah
21
20
31
72
N. Sembilan D.K.
11
21
35
67
Kelantan D.N.
8
9
18
35
Perlis I.K.
4
6
7
17
Brunei D.S.
0
2
0
2
Jumlah
402
397
500
1299

Medals Tally

Terengganu Are Overall Champions

KUALA TERENGGANU, June 8 (Bernama) -- Host Terengganu emerged as the overall champion of the 12th SUKMA after opening up an inaccessible lead over second placed Selangor on the penultimate day of competitions here Sunday.

With 400 of the 404 gold medals on offer for the games decided, Terengganu lead the rest of the teams with 58 gold, 39 silver and 46 bronze, comfortably beating defending overall champion Selangor who have 53 gold, 46 silver and 51 bronze.

Tomorrow, three gold medals will be up for grabs in cycling, sepak takraw and weightlifting, but even if Selangor win all three, it will not threaten Terengganu's position.

The host who moved into the lead with 51 gold medals yesterday, collected seven gold medals today, four from pencak silat, two from boxing and one from rugby.

The chunk of the gold medals for Terengganu came from canoe (14), cycling (seven), athletics (six), pencak silat (six), taekwondo (four), swimming (three), two each from shooting, fencing, archery, judo, boxing, weightlifting and squash, while lawn bowls, equestrian, rugby and beach volleyball contributed one each.

Selangor meanwhile, came good with six gold medals today from tennis (two) and one each from badminton, cycling, lawn bowls and petanque but was not enough to overtake the host whose previous haul in Kedah was only 15.

Selangor were dominant in sports like swimming, taekwondo, gymnastics, shooting and sailing but Terengganu's prowess in winning 14 gold medals from canoe events turned out to be a major instrumental factor in the overall title.

Apart from the race for medals, the 12th SUKMA also saw four new national records and 24 new games records in swimming, two national and 12 games records in weightlifting, one national record and 15 games records in athletics and two games records in archery.

Meanwhile, Sarawak with 52 gold, 52 silver, 42 bronze are in third place while 1996 SUKMA host Pahang are fourth on 31 gold, 26 silver, 24 bronze, ahead of Federal Territories who are fifth with 29 gold, the same as Perak and Kedah who are in sixth and seventh places.

The only team that did not win a gold medal in the games was Brunei who only managed two silver medals.

-- BERNAMA

Brenda Bags Second Gold, Sets Sights On 2010 Asian Games


SECOND GOLD…Federal Territories gymnast Brenda Yap won her second gold in 12th Sukan Malaysia (SUKMA) rhythmic gymnastic individual all-round apparatus event at the Gong Badak Indoor Stadium, Kuala Terengganu. Pix: Arjasneh Ahmad

KUALA TERENGGANU, June 7 (Bernama) -- Federal Territories gymnast Brenda Yap who clinched her second gold in rhythmic gymnastics at the Gong Badak Indoor Stadium today by winning the individual all-round apparatus event, has set her sights firmly on the 2010 Asian Games.

"I am looking at representing Malaysia in the 2010 Asian Games," said Brenda who was not too happy with her overall performance despite winning the gold.

Brendas gold with 94.125 points means Federal Territories have maintained their stranglehold on the sport at SUKMA as they had also won the team event yesterday where she played a major role.

"I won the gold today but it was not a good performance from me as I wanted to give my best in this SUKMA. The ball is my favourite routine but I made mistakes in the ropes," said Brenda who made her debut at the Kedah SUKMA in 2006, winning two silvers and one bronze.

Compatriot Elaine Tan made a 1-2 for FT when she won the silver with 89.250 points and Amy Kwan of Selangor took the bronze with 87.450.

FT will be counting on Brenda, 15, to deliver four more gold medals tomorrow when she competes in the four individual apparatus finals.

Brenda came into the competition here oozing with confidence after having won four gold medals -- in the rope, hoop, ball and individual all-round -- at the SportsExcel Championships in Kuala Lumpur in early April.

Gymnastics (rhythmic) will come to a close tomorrow after the four individual apparatus finals.

-- BERNAMA



Terengganu Thrashes Perlis For Soccer Gold

KUALA TERENGGANU, Jun 9 (Bernama) -- The Terengganu soccer squad thrashed Perlis 5-1 to win the gold medal at the 12th SUKMA (Malaysia Games) held at the Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin Stadium of the state sports complex in Gong Badak here Sunday night.

Coached by Khalid Mohd Dahan, the squad gave a brilliant display, backed by support from its 45,000 local supporters. Terengganu began its goal fest in the 20th minute through striker Wan Mohd Aliff.

Eight minutes later, his squad mate, Mohd Ashari Samsuddin, added anoher goal and in the 44 minute, mid-fielder Ismail Faruqi hammered home the third goal from outside the penalty box.

In the second-half, Terengganu scored its fourth goal through a penalty shot by Abdul Manaf Mamat in the 52nd minute. However, Perlis replied with a goal by Azmizi Azmi in the 78th minute.

Terengganu continued to attack and got its fifth goal through Abdul Manaf Mamat, eight minutes from time. The bronze went to Kedah after it beat Penang 3-0.

-- BERNAMA



Kedah's Gold Snatched By Young FT Bowler

KUALA TERENGGANU, June 8 (Bernama) -- Federal Territories bowler Cheong Pui Yee snatched the gold medal from Kedah bowler Tengku Emanina Laily Tengku Zahri in the women's master final at the Gong Badak sports complex here Sunday.

Tengku Emanina led the competition from start until the last game when she failed to produce her best.

That was when Pui Yee took full advantage to put a strike in the last game and chalked up a grand total of 3,525 pinfalls, two pinfalls ahead of Tengku Emanina to win the gold.

Tengku Emanina who could only manage 3,253 pinfalls, took the silver while Syaidatul Afifah Badrul Hamidi of Perak settled for bronze with 2,408 pinfalls.

The 17-year-old Pui Yee said although she was confident in her game, she did not expect to win the gold medal as she only began training for SUKMA last November, after recovering from an injury in the right wrist.

"I was very nervous in the last game when Tengku (Emanina) failed to produce a strike, and this give (me) the room to overtake her," said the former national junior bowler.

Pui Yee, who trains under coach Zulkarnain Sapian, joined the national junior squad in 2006, but quit after only a year.

She claimed that the programme under the national junior squad was not suitable for her.

"Although I am not in the national team, I will continue to train hard to improve my game and win more competitions," she said.

Meanwhile, Fahmi Bahri Sulaiman won the men's master event for Johor when he recorded the grand total of 3,487 pinfalls to beat Pahang bowler Tong Juinn Chuan who knocked down 3,398 pins for silver.

Tengku Ariff Mahmood took the bronze with 3,392 pinfalls.

-- BERNAMA



Terengganu, Pahang Rule Silat

KUALA TERENGGANU, June 8 (Bernama) -- The last day of pencak silat at the 12th Sukma edition saw host Terengganu winning four gold medals at the Silat Complex in Gong Badak here Sunday.

Siti Rahmah Mohd Nasir set the ball rolling by clinching the women's Class D 60kg-65kg gold after beating Pahang's Mazatul Haniza Zakaria while Mohd Hafiz Mahari added the second from the men's Class A 45kg-50kg category by beating Mohd Faizul Nasir from Selangor.

Salahuddin Shafie later gave the host their third gold medal of the day, edging Mat Nazri Mat Khalil from Perak in the men's Class H 80kg-85kg category before Mohd Ariff Sukir swept aside the challenges of Pahang's Samiruddin Shaari to bag the fourth gold in the men's Class I 85kg-90kg category.

Terengganu exponents who made it to five finals however failed to produce a 100 per cent record when Zul Effendi Yusoff lost to Mat Sabar Nordin of Penang in the men's Class E 65kg-70kg event.

With the four collected today, the host hauled in six gold medals from silat, the same number won by Pahang, considered a powerhouse in pencak silat competitions.

Pahang who won two gold medals on June 3 and June 4, added four today with Mohd Hazwan Mahamad Hemdan leading the charge in the men's Class J 90kg-95kg gold after beating Selangor's Azrul Abdullah.

Muhamad Saiful Shafiq (men's Class G 75kg-80kg), Amir Ikram Abdul Rahim (men's Class D 60kg-65kg) and Amir Ikram Rahim (men's Class D 60kg-65kg) were the other contributors for Pahang.

Kedah were also big winners today with five gold medals, Penang picked up two while Sarawak, Perak, Kelantan and Negeri Sembilan won one each when the curtains came down on silat events today.

-- BERNAMA


Pahang Beat Terengganu For Women's Hockey Gold

KUALA TERENGGANU, June 8 (Bernama) -- Pahang were crowned women's Sukma hockey champions after beating host Terengganu 2-0 in the final at the Terengganu City Council Hockey Field in Batu Burok here Sunday.

They scored a goal in each half to seal the victory and disappointed a huge local crowd who gathered at the venue long before the start of the match.

Terengganu conceded a penalty corner in the 33rd minute and it proved costly when Siti Shahida made no mistake to beat goalkeeper Nur Nasyrah.

Terengganu pulled up their socks after conceding the lead but simply could not breach the tight Pahang defence.

Instead, Pahang scored again in the 67th minute through another penalty corner set piece, this time through Fifi Maizura.

Penang won the bronze with a 2-0 win over Johor in the third placing playoff with goals in either half through Nurul Nadia's field goal in the 14th minute and skipper Siti Noor Amarina in the 48th.

-- BERNAMA



Graceful Brenda Dances Her Way To Six Golds And Sukma History

KUALA TERENGGANU, June 8 (Bernama) -- Graceful Kuala Lumpur schoolgirl Brenda Yap etched her name in SUKMA history by making a clean sweep of all six medals at stake in rhythmic gymnastics which came to a close at the Gong Badak Indoor Stadium here Sunday.

The previous record of a five-gold-medal haul was held by Thye Chee Keat, also of FT, in the Pahang Sukma in 1996.

With her six-gold-medal haul, Brenda became the only athlete who won six gold medals in the 12th edition of the Games here and would certainly be the top most candidate for the best overall athlete.

On Friday, Brenda, 15, from the Bukit Jalil Sports School, helped FT win the team event before helping herself to the gold in the individual all-round event.

Brenda is obviously the darling at this years Sukma and a firm crowd favourite, drawing loud applauses, whenever she came on stage to perform her routines.

Undaunted by the attention and expectations, she continued to mesmerize the crowd, scoring 24.1000 points in the hoop, 23.6500 points in the ropes, 24.2250 points for ball which was her pet event and 22.9250 points in the ribbons.

While Brenda was virtually speechless with her feat, FT chief coach Elena Kholodova from Russia had nothing but praises for her charge.

"Brenda has everything in her... beauty, skills and brain.

Barring any injuries, Brenda is destined for a bright career in gymnastics, both at national and international level," she said.

"Give her one more year and she will be able to display her true potential. Her main weakness is the ribbons but she is coming along well. Brenda has been using the six-metre long ribbon instead of the normal five for the juniors," she said.

Elena said Brenda was currently Malaysia's hottest rhythmic gymnastics property who would be able to do well in Sea Games, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games and even the Olympics. Incidentally, Brenda won a gold in the ribbon -- her weakest event -- to end Malaysia's 12-year gold drought and added a silver in the Pacific Alliance championships in America in March.

"Today, I was scared in the ribbon. Elaine (Koon of Selangor) was my strongest rival in this discipline. Still, winning six gold medals is beyond my dream.

"I am shocked and at the same time happy. I don't want to say that I am ready to take over from the big names Crystal Lim, Fong Seow Ting and Durratun Nashihin, but I am looking forward to donning national colours," said Brenda.

-- BERNAMA


Wei Feng Stuns Thomas Cupper Arif

KUALA TERENGGANU, June 8 (Bernama) -- National back-up shuttler Chong Wei Feng clinched the gold medal for Kedah in the penultimate day of badminton after defeating Thomas Cupper Mohd Arif Abdul Latif in the men's singles final event of the 12th SUKMA at the Kemaman MPK Hall here Sunday.

The 21-year-old cruised to a comfortable win of 21-17, 21-11 over Negri Sembilan's Arif who just returned from the Thomas Cup final in Jakarta last month.

Wei Feng's most memorable win this year was during the India Open in Hyderabad in April, when he dumped world No. 4 and All-England champion Chen Jin of China out of the tournament in the second round. However, the 19-year-old Arif said he did not play well today and that Wei Feng deserved the gold medal.

"I did not play my best but I am satisfied that I managed to enter the final with a silver medal," said the youngest among the three Abdul Latif brothers.

The others are Mohd Zakry Abdul Latif and Mohd Razif Abdul Latif. Both players are in coach Rashid Sidek's Project 2010-2012 squad and still waiting for an opportunity to break through the senior squad.

The men's doubles title was won by the Perak pairs of Chow Pak Chu/Mek Hee Chun who beat Cheah Liek Hou/Chin Chuan Jue of Federal Territories (FT) 17-21, 21-11, 21-19.

Meanwhile, national second women's singles Julia Wong, of Malacca, defeated her national team-mate Lydia Cheah of Federal Territories in the women's singles final.

Julia, the world No. 27, edged past Lydia in straight sets 22-20, 21-14 to win the first gold medal for Malacca in badminton competition.

In the women's doubles event, Uber Cup pair of Ng Hui Ling/Woon Khe Wei from Selangor swept aside Amelia Alicia Anscelly/Ng Paou Leng of Sabah 17-21, 21-13, 21-19 to win the gold medal.

-- BERNAMA

Wednesday, June 4, 2008

What's On Today

Thursday June 5, 2008

MEDALS AT STAKE: 56-56-61

n ATHLETICS (11 golds)

(Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin Stadium, Gong Badak – 5pm)

Triple jump (women), Shot putt (men), 10,000m walk (men), 5,000m (women), high jump (men), 800m (men and women), 100m (men and women), 10,000m (men), decathlon (men)

n ARCHERY (2)

(UDM Kampus, KUSZA, Gong Badak – 9am)

Olympic individual compound (men), Olympic individual recurve (men)

n SWIMMING (7)

(Batu Burok Swimming Complex – 5pm, 6.40pm)

1,500m freestyle (men), 100m backstroke (men and women), 50m freestyle (men and women), 4x100m medley (men and women)

n DIVING (4)

(Batu Burok Swimming Complex – 10.45am)

3m spring board (men), synchronise platform (men and women), 3m springboard (women)

n CANOEING (6)

(Tasik Puteri Recreational Park, Bukit Besi – 4pm)

200m K1 (men and women), 200m K2 (men and women), 200m K4 (men and women)

n CYCLING (2)

(Bandar Kuala Berang – 9am)

80km team trial (men), 50km team trial (women)

n FENCING (2)

(UDM Kampus KUSZA, Gong Badak – 5.30pm)

Team epee (men), team foil (women)

n GOLF (4)

(Tuanku Mizan Golf and Country Resort, Kuala Ibai – 8am)

Individual (men and women), team (men and women)

n PETANQUE (4)

(Arena Padu, Jalan Kelab, Dungun – 10.15am)

Doubles (men and women), triples (men and women)

n SAILING (1)

(Pantai Rhu 10, Penarik, Setiu – 10am)

Optimist (team)

n SEPAKTAKRAW (1)

(State Stadium, Batu Burok)

Inter-team (men)

n SHOOTING (8)

(Gong Kuin 2, Tok Jembal, K. Terengganu – 10am)

10m air pistol individual (men), 10m air pistol team (men), 25m rapid fire pistol individual (men), 25m rapid fire pistol team (men), 50m rifle prone individual (women), 50m rifle prone team (women), trap individual (men), trap team (men)

n TENNIS (2)

(MBKT Tennis Complex, K. Terengganu – 8.30am)

Team final (men and women)

n WEIGHTLIFTING (2)

(Kolej Multimedia Timur, Rusila – 9am, 2pm)

77kg event (men), 85kg event (men)

n DEMONSTRATION SPORT

FORMULA FUTURE (10)

(Kuala Ibai Lagoon, K. Terengganu – 3.35pm)

Slalom Class 1-5 Total Points K1-K5

News by BERNAMA

Jeng Tzan Hogs Limelight With New National Mark In Discus

By Jaiarajo Letchumanan

KUALA TERENGGANU, June 4 (Bernama) -- Yap Jeng Tzan provided the only sparkle on the first day of track and field action at the 12th SUKMA athletics competition by smashing her own national record in women's discus at the Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin Stadium at the Gong Badak Sports Complex here Wednesday.

The 21-year-old Jeng Tzan, representing Negeri Sembilan, hurled the discus to a distance of 46.66m on her second attempt to erase her week old mark of 45.80m set at the Chinese Taipei International Athletics Meet.

This is the third time Jeng Tzan has broken the national mark in the space of a month as she had initially set a new record at the Negeri Sembilan Open in May by bettering the 43.94m mark set by her in the second National Women's Games in June last year.

The sturdy Jeng Tzan who hails from Bahau, an equally competent shot put thrower and who will be taking part in the event as well, said that with the discus gold in the bag, she hoped to do well in the shot put event scheduled for Saturday.

"I have noticed a marked improvement in my throws since training under Petrovic Frank of Slovakia for the past four months.

Apart from Jeng Tzan's feat, there was not much to shout about despite the presence of some national athletes although the men's 400m race did provide some excitement for the fans.

In the race which featured one half of the 4x400m quartet that won the gold medal at the Korat SEA Games last year, Mohd Zafril Mohd Zuslaini pipped R. Amran Raj to the tape by the narrowest of margins to win the gold after a neck- -to-neck race.

Zafril clocked 47.68s while Amran's time was 47.69, a mere 0.1 second slower.

In the women's 400m, Nurul Faizah Asma Mazlan gave host Terengganu their first gold medal for athletics after winning with a time of 57.50, beating Teong Sui Men of Federal Territories who clocked 57.96.

Thursday, athletics continues with 10 gold medals on offer and the highlight will certainly be both the men's and women's blue ribbon events (100m).

-- BERNAMA



Saidatul Hits The Bulls Eye For Perak

By Hilary Sebastian

KUALA TERENGGANU, June 4 (Bernama) -- Perak shooter Saidatul Ashikin Roslan helped her state to two precious gold when the shooting events in the 12th Sukma opened at the Gong Kuin Shooting Range in Tok Jembal near here Wednesday.

In the 50m individual Air Rifle, the 19-year-old lass shot overall 392 points to defeat 32 other contestants for the gold.

The silver and bronze were also won by Perak shooters namely Noraishah Mohd Jamil (391 points) and Nur Farah Afiqah Mohd Taufek (389).

Saidatul went on to help her teammates Nur Zaida Abdul Rashid and Nurul Husna Mohammad Raudzi to win the team gold of the same event after they fired a total of 1154 points.

Selangor picked up the silver with 1152 points while Melaka the bronze (1146 points).

-- BERNAMA



Norrusuhila Eager To Walk Into Top Bracket

By Jaiarajo Letchumanan

KUALA TERENGGANU, June 4 (Bernama) -- Kelantan can be proud of 16-year-old Norrusuhila Mohd Rusni who walked away with the women's 5,000m walk gold in sweltering heat at the Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin Stadium when the first day of athletics competitions started Wednesday.

The gold means a lot to this daughter of a farmer from Bachok.

Nurrusuhila wants to be next best woman walker in the country after China-born Yuan Yu Fang who incidentally was watching the race from the terraces.

The hot and humid conditions saw Norrusuhila clock 26:39.23 - far below her personal best of 26:18.84 she set at the Malaysian Schools Sports Council (MSSM) sports carnival in Selangor earlier this year.

The silver went to Song Gie Chee of Penang with a time of 27:16.08 and the bronze to Yap Kwee Kee of Federal Territories (27:34.20).

Now, Norrusuhila is looking for her second gold medal when she competes in the women's 10,000m walk on Friday.

This is the second SUKMA for Norrusuhila and she is determined to break "into the top bracket" in the next two years with her sights firmly set on donning national colours in the next SEA Games.

"I am still very young and learning the tricks of the trade. But it wont be long. I have improved tremendously since I enrolled at the Bukit Jalil Sports School two years ago," said Norrusuhila.

"I believe this is the right place for me to pursue my athletics career. With proper diet and proper coaching I am making good. I hope that it will not be too long before I break into the national team."

The third child in a family of seven, Norrusuhila caught the eye of the National Sports Council (NSC) who took her under their wings after coming in second in the Asean Schools Championships in Jakarta last year.

For her efforts in winning the gold Tuesday, Norrusuhila will get RM1,000 as incentive from the Kelantan Sports Council.

-- BERNAMA



Hairi, Jonathan Awarded Gold In Floor Exercise

By Jaiarajo Letchumanan

KUALA TERENGGANU, June 4 (Bernama) -- In a first of its nature in the 12th SUKMA, Kelantan's Hairi Zaid Saruji and Sarawak's Jonathan Chien were both awarded the gold medal for the floor exercise in the individual apparatus events for gymnastics at the Gong Badak Indoor Stadium here Wednesday.

Hairi, 19, the defending champion in the event and Jonathan, winner of the individual all-round gold Tuesday, were both awarded identical 13.925 points by the judges.

The bronze medal in the event went to Mohd Azlan Shah of Federal Territories with 13.875 points.

Though Jonathan was deemed as the early favourite, Hairi who sustained a thigh injury in the team event on Monday, put up a determined performance despite enduring much pain to complete his routine.

Hairi who quit the national team in 2003 while studying at the Bukit Jalil Sports School wants to re-launch his bid to get into the national team again after the SUKMA.

"I joined Bukit Jalil in 2001 but I was not comfortable training under a Chinese coach because I am more suited to Russian coaches as I learned my basics in gymnastics based on the Russian style," Hairi told reporters after the prize presentation.

"This win will definitely spur me on to get back into the national team. I aim to go far in my gymnastics career as much has improved since I came under the wings of a Bulgarian coach."

A fulltime gymnast now, Hairi is currently training under Bulgarian Pavel Tadorov who is attached to the Kelantan State Sports Council.

"My thigh still hurts but it never occurred to me to give up as the floor exercise, my favourite event, was the only event left for me to win gold. I did not qualify for the other events because of the injury.

"I was determined to win and I am glad that I did not let my state down. This is the first gold for Kelantan from gymnastics," added Hairi.

-- BERNAMA


Melaka's Petite See Teng Is New Darling Of Gymnastics

By Jaiarajo Letchumanan

KUALA TERENGGANU, June 4 (Bernama) -- The Melaka state anthem was heard loud and clear at the Gong Badak Sports Complex Indoor Stadium three times Wednesday and it was all due to 15-year-old Cheong See Teng who emerged as the new darling of gymnastics in the 12th SUKMA.

Her three gold medals in the individual apparatus events Wednesday took her tally to five golds for her best ever haul since making her SUKMA debut in Negri Sembilan in 2004.

She popped onto the elite stage during the last SUKMA in Kedah two years ago, after winning two gold medals.

After winning gold in the women's team on the first day and the all-round on the second day, See Teng, who stands at only 1.43m tall and weighs a mere 35kg, added three more titles Wednesday afternoon, in the floor exercise, beam and vault to take her personal tally to five.

This led her father Cheong Ann, a painter, to say: "My daughter is much richer than me."

The Melaka State Sports Council had pledged to pay RM1,500 for each individual gold medal, which will make her RM7,500 richer.

"I did not know that she was this good in the sport. Her talent was spotted by a talent scout team which went to all the schools. I am glad that she has coped well so far.

"I don't earn much as a painter but I go to every competition she competes locally. It is heavy on me but that is the least I can do for her as she is very keen on the sport," said Cheong Ann, who came with his wife to Terengganu.

The Cheong family will return to Melaka Wednesday - fully satisfied with the success of their darling daughter and knowing that their sacrifices was worth its weight in gold.

They are ready to do more for See Teng to succeed at international level.

As a parting shot, See Teng, a student at Canossa Convent at Kampung Portuguese, Melaka, had this to say: "I thank my coach, my family and my friends who have made all this possible."

Her coach is Mikhail Gulsalyuk from Uzbekistan who has been with the Melaka gymnastics team for 10 years.

-- BERNAMA



Marellyn Sets New National Record In 100m Butterfly

By Kenny Teng Khoon Hock

KUALA TERENGGANU, June 4 (Bernama) -- Rising star Marellyn Liew of Sabah splashed her way to a new national record in the women's 100m butterfly en route to the gold in the event at the 12th Sukma (Malaysia Games) at the Batu Burok Aquatics complex here Wednesday.

The 19-year-old Liew clocked one minute 01.82 seconds to rewrite the previous national record of 1:02.08 set by Luisa Los Santos during the Korat SEA Games last year.

Hii Siew Siew of Sarawak and Cheng Karmen of Perak took the silver and bronze respectively.

Coached by former Malaysian backstroke king, Alex Lim Keng Liat, Kota Kinabalu-born Marellyn's record-breaking effort follows her rewriting of the Games record in the women's 50m butterfly on Tuesday.

Marellyn said she did not expect to break the record here and her target was only winning the gold medal.

"I did a mistake on the final 50m but managed to correct myself," she told reporters after her feat.

Liew will enter the Singapore Open later this month which is her last chance to make it to the Beijing Olympics in August.

Beijing-bound Daniel Bego and Khoo Cai Lin also created new Games records in the men's 100m butterfly and women's 400m freestyle respectively.

Daniel, 17, from Sarawak, swam his heart out to win the gold in a time of 55.27 seconds to rewrite the previous record of 56.24s set by Anthony Ang during the 1996 Sukma in Kuantan.

The silver and bronze were won by Selangor's Foo Jian Beng and Brian Derrick Lim of Sarawak respectively.

Daniel will be competing in August Beijing Olympic in the men's 100m and 200m butterfly and also the 200m freestyle.

Cai Lin, 19, from Selangor, won the 400m freestyle in 4:18.94s to erase the previous record held by Negeri Sembilan's Lew Yih Wey. Chan Kah Yan of the Federal Territories (FT) and Cheng Karmen of Perak took the silver and bronze respectively.

In the women's 200m breaststroke, Carmen Ooi, who won the Individual medley Tuesday, added another gold medal for hosts Terengganu today after she won the event in 2:43.90s ahead of Selangor's Raja Azlina Izzah and Sarawak's Erika Kong, who settled for silver and bronze.

-- BERNAMA



Curiosity Did Not Kill Cat But Pays Golden Dividends For Zulkifli

KUALA TERENGGANU, June 4 (Bernama) -- Going by the old adage, curiosity might have killed the cat.

In archer Mohd Zulkifli Tahil's case, it bagged golden dividends.

His victory at the 90 metre Recurve event of the 12th SUKMA archery competition at the Universiti Darul Iman has re-launched his archery career in style.

It has also erased the 20-year-old's memory of having suffered a career-threatening shoulder injury at Sukma 2006 in Kedah.

Mohd Zulkifli, a full-time archer from Labuan, has now set his sights firmly on qualifying for the Olympics, one day. It has been a long, winding road for the young man, since the days he first became interested in archery while at home in Kampung Merinding, Labuan.

It was all due to a millionaire, Captain James Anggang, who set up a private archery range on a plot of land, next to Mohd Zulkifli's home.

"I was watching the people there shoot arrows daily. I became interested and went over there often.

"One day, Captain James asked if I wanted to try out archery, and I said 'yes' and have not looked back," said Mohd Zulkifli.

He became part of the national junior team until he was told to take a rest due to his shoulder injury two years ago.

Even bigger than his SUKMA gold is his dream of one day representing Malaysia at the Olympic Games.

-- BERNAMA



Zaira Breaks Her Own National Records

MARANG, June 4 (Bernama) -- Zaira Zakaria, the national women's weightlifter who is representing Kedah, re-wrote three national records in the below-48kg category at the 12th Malaysian Sports (SUKMA) today.

The 21-year-old broke the 'snatch' national record when she successfully lifted 72kg in her second attempt, and later, again re-wrote the national 'clean-and-jerk' record with a lift of 93kg, also in the second attempt.

Hence, Zaira who has represented Malaysia at the Melbourne Commonwealth Games in 2006, smashed the national overall record with a total lift of 165kg.

The previous national 'snatch', 'clean-and-jerk' and overall were 68kg, 86kg and 154kg, respectively, where the three records were set by Zaira during the National Open in Kuantan in July last year.

Weightlifting is one of 31 sports which offers nine gold medals for men and seven for women.

-- BERNAMA



Gomagan Wins Gold As Opponent Lands In Hospital

KUALA TERENGGANU, June 4 (Bernama) -- Kedah karate exponent Gomagan Sony Rajaa was probably the luckiest gold medal winner of the 12th SUKMA held here when he did not have to lift a finger or lose any sweat to win the men's Under 65kg Kumite gold at Wakaf Tapai, Marang near here on Tuesday.

Gomagan who was supposed to face Mohd Hussaimie Hussein of Sabah in the final received a walkover when the latter could not feature in the final due to an injury suffered during his semi-final encounter against Pahang's S. Kannaan.

Mohd Hussaimie dropped to the mat just minutes into his bout as Kannaan landed an illegal kick or in karate terms known as uncontrolled kick to his rib and had to be rushed to the Sultanah Nur Zahirah Hospital in Kuala Terengganu for a suspected broken rib.

Kannaan who initially thought he had won the bout was later disqualified.

Technical delegate for the 12th SUKMA karate competitions Clement Soo said that since Mohd Hussaimie was unable to fight in the final, Gomagan received a walkover and was awarded the gold medal.

Meanwhile, the result of an x-ray revealed that Mohd Hussaimie's injury was not as bad as initially thought and that brought about a big relief to his father Hussein Moin who was together with his son at the hospital.

"Thank God, there was no broken rib as feared earlier. The rib is badly bruised and swollen by the impact," Hussein told Bernama when contacted.

Apart from the men's Kumite Below 65kg, Karate offered three more gold medals through the men's Kumite Below 80kg, women's Kumite Below 60kg and Kumite Below 70kg.

In the men's Below 70kg, Melaka's R. Jayaraj stopped Brunei's Mohd Nabil Malik in his tracks to take the gold while the women's Below 60kg gold went to Chin Fang Yin of Penang who beat G. Nagashangkari of Federal Territories.

Despite the defeat Mohd Nabil can still walk tall in the Brunei contingent as it was the first medal of the Games for the oil rich Sultanate.

-- BERNAMA