Penang’s sepak takraw team celebrating after winning the gold medal, ending a 24-year drought. — Photos: Buletin Mutiara
THE Penang contingent returned from the 21st Malaysia Games (Sukma) jubilant, having surpassed their target of 40 gold medals.
Among competing states, Penang secured fourth place with an impressive tally of 41 gold, 45 silver and 52 bronze medals.
Host Sarawak emerged as the overall champion with 75 gold, 55 silver and 70 bronze medals, followed by Federal Territory Kuala Lumpur (75-65-72) and Selangor (56-64-61).
Penang Sports Council director Harry Chai Heng Hua said it never crossed his mind that Penang could finish ahead of states like Terengganu, Johor and Sabah.
“I am overwhelmed by the efforts and fighting spirit shown by the team in pursuit of medals.
En celebrating her victory in the heptathlon.
“Despite facing a lot of obstacles along the way, our athletes were very determined, which led to us exceeding our goal.
“Congratulations to the team officials, coaches, athletes and consultants for the strong showing,” he was quoted by state publisher Buletin Mutiara.
At the latest edition of Sukma, Penang took part in 35 out of the 37 sports, except for softball and netball.
Athletes in four events – judo, boxing, chess and gymnastics – emerged as overall champions in their respective sports, significantly boosting the medal haul.
Three Penang athletes also set new Sukma records. Swimmer Tong Yu Jing swam the men’s 50m freestyle in 23.06s, heptathlete Melissa En Xuan Chong registered 4,665 points while decathlete Wilson Quaik Zhen Han scored 6,320 points.
Swimmer Tong set a new Sukma record in the men’s 50m freestyle.
Chess, making its debut in Sarawak, saw a rising star in Penang’s 15-year-old Poh Yu Tian, who became the youngest Malaysian to attain the International Masters’ title in July.
Yu Tian clinched three gold medals in the Rapid Men’s, Rapid Team and Blitz Men’s events.
Another memorable triumph came from the men’s sepak takraw team, which won the gold medal by beating Selangor 2-0, ending a 24-year gold drought. Penang last won the title in 2000 as the host.
Chai says the focus will be on Sukma’s 28 core sports for the next edition in Selangor.
Penang’s impressive showing in Sarawak was the result of two years of consistent preparation, with a focus on discipline and a rigorous selection process.
Chai said Penang would continue to develop its current talents and scout for new ones as it prepares for Sukma 2026 in Selangor.
“We will focus on Sukma’s 28 core sports, for which there are ongoing development programmes.
“We must work even harder to keep the momentum going.
“We want to sustain the level of performance and aim for a top-five finish,” said Chai.
