KUCHING: Nine powerlifters lifted Sarawak’s pride to a new high at the recent Malaysian National Powerlifting Championships 2023 at Damen Mall, Subang Jaya.
Coaches Mohammad Nasrul Faiz Zulkifli and Abdul Aziz were an inspiration to the 14 athletes, who helped Sarawak come in second behind Kuala Lumpur in the overall standings. Sarawak were led by managers Daryl Albright Doubless John and Nurul Dizamira Atika Mohd Sikun.
The Sarawak Powerlifting Association (SPA) said the athletes’ exceptional performance resulted in an impressive medals haul in various categories.
The gold medals in the men’s category were contributed by Mohammad Nasrul Faiz Zulkifli in the Raw Master I U105kg, Shamsul Anuar Bin Ahamad Ibrahim (Raw Master III U93kg), and Jeremiah Lamada (Raw Sub-Junior U105kg).
The silver came from Dominic Jugah Gawing in the Raw Sub-Junior U66kg category.
Meanwhile, the women did Sarawak proud too when Jeanette Rinai Tagal lifted to a gold in the Raw Open U69kg category.
Other gold contributors were Celine Yong (Raw Open U76kg), Nathalia Orelda Lee Nick (Raw Open 84+kg) and Abrienda Chan Pei Xin (Raw Sub-Junior U52kg).
Ng Joon Lian contributed a silver in Raw Master I U63kg. She also took a bronze in the Women Master Overall category.
Five Sarawak powerlifters set a number of national records in the categories that they participated in. They are Jeremiah Lamada, Mohammad Nasrul, Shamsul Anuar, Abrienda Chan and Nathalia Orelda.
SPA thanked the Malaysian Association for Powerlifting (MAP) and Sarawak Sports Corporation (SSC) for providing a platform to showcase the talent of Sarawakian athletes.
“With the success achieved at the MAP National Championships, Team Sarawak look forward to more athletes participating in the upcoming Sarawak Powerlifting Open 2023 from July 29 to 30,” SPA said in a statement today.
