Sukma 2022: Johor hits top of medal tally

JOHOR BARU: Johor has made history by coming out on top of the Malaysia Games (Sukma) charts for the first time in the sporting event’s 36-year history.

Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi said the state bagged 77 gold, 52 silver and 43 bronze medals in the Games, which ran from Sept 16 until 24 in Kuala Lumpur.

This brought the state’s medal tally to 172, which was 72 more compared to the 2018 Sukma where Johor took home 29 gold, 34 silver and 37 bronze medals.

"The state government will give the due recognition and rewards to all the athletes in the Johor contingent who have brought the state’s name to greater heights.

"Well done to the athletes, coaching staff, management, Johor Sports Council and all those involved in making this possible," he said in a Facebook post on Saturday (Sept 24), adding that Johor crown prince Tunku Ismail Ibni Almarhum Sultan Ibrahim and the royal family have always supported the state’s Sukma team as well.

Onn Hafiz also compared Johor’s latest achievement with the past four Games.

In 2016, Johor recorded 75 medals in total (19 gold, 25 silver, 31 bronze); in 2014, the state won 95 medals (23 gold, 32 silver, 40 bronze) while in 2013, 45 medals were recorded (12 gold, eight silver, 25 bronze).