THERE were tears of joy for weightlifter Lawrenson Gawan Lik when he triumphed in the men’s 60kg snatch and clean-and-jerk events at the recent Sarawak Games (Suksar).
The 16-year-old athlete, who was representing the Central Zone, was thrilled with his achievement at Dewan Panglima Rentap in Betong.
“I’m really happy because this is the first time I’ve won two gold medals at Suksar. In Suksar 2024 I only won a bronze medal in the 55kg category,” he said.
Dedicating the win to his family, Lawrenson said he would keep working hard with the aim of representing Sarawak at the Malaysia Games (Sukma) in Selangor in August.
“I don’t know yet whether I will be selected but I will do my best to try to make the team,” he said.
While Lawrenson celebrated his success, 10-year-old Macxqlynson Ayden Paul Backlin was just happy to be taking part in Suksar.
The youngest athlete at the Games came short of a medal in the men’s 71kg category but won hearts for his poise and fearless attitude.
“I’m a little disappointed, but mostly I’m happy because I tried my best,” Macxqlynson said.
His coach Wyncles Kiring Tom said Macxqlynson showed good potential in the sport, although it was too early to predict how far he could go.
He said the youngster from Sarikei can currently lift up to 30kg in the snatch and 45kg in clean-and-jerk.
“Since he’s only 10 years old, we’re training him slowly in stages. He is disciplined in training and listens well to instructions.
“Considering what he can do now, he is one of our hopes for the future, but we will only see his true potential in two to three years’ time,” he said.
Suksar is a biennial event organised by the Sarawak Sports Corporation and Sarawak State Sports Council to scout for talents and develop athletes, particularly in preparation for Sukma.
“Through Suksar, athletes are tested not only in their physical and technical abilities but also in their mental strength, discipline, resilience and sportsmanship,” state Deputy Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Minister Datuk Gerald Rentap Jabu said at the Games’ opening ceremony.
“In the increasingly competitive sports landscape, we need athletes who not only excel on the field but have integrity and can handle pressure during competition.”
This year’s Suksar took place in Betong, Sri Aman and Lubok Antu on Feb 5-8, with 773 athletes from the Northern, Central, Western and Southern Zones competing for 105 gold medals across 11 sports.
Besides weightlifting, the other sports were basketball, boxing, cycling, karate, netball, petanque, sepak takraw, softball, taekwondo and table tennis.
The Northern Zone emerged the overall champions with 39 gold, 37 silver and 32 bronze medals.
The Southern Zone, the defending champions, finished second with 30 gold, 28 silver and 24 bronze.
Hosts Western Zone came third with 19 gold, 14 silver and 36 bronze, followed by the Central Zone with 17 gold, 24 silver and 34 bronze.
Cyclists Zhen Xiang Kenny Lim from the Southern Zone and Nur Ain Ramadhania Abdullah from the Western Zone, who won four gold medals each, were named the Promising Sportsman and Sportswoman of Suksar 2026.
