Kuching: Weightlifter Loro Welkinson broke the record in the snatch 77kg to take the first of his two gold medals for Sabah on the eighth day of the Sukma Games in UiTM on Tuesday.He broke his own record of 135kg set in Sukma Perlis with a lift of 137kg to beat fellow teammate Elvin Elvister who managed 120 kg and Bapi Muyat from Sarawak with 118kg.The 21-year-old followed that with another convincing win in the clean and jerk after he lifted 166kg well ahead of second place winner Syazwan Afandi from Pahang, who only managed 144kg, and Federal Territories' Afiq Hafiq Daniel with 142.
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Earlier in the morning session another lifter Marceeta Marylynee Marcus delivered the eighth gold for Sabah.The 18-year-old, who is under the National Sports Council's (NSC) Pelapis Serantau programme took the gold in the 58kg clean and jerk title with a lift of 86kg beating the Terengganu duo of Nurul Basirah Saifuddin and Norasyikinnabila Rahimi comfortably who only managed 75kg and 73kg respectively.
She had earlier lost the snatch gold to Norasyikinnabila by 1kg with her best of 65kg while in third place was Nurul Basirah with 61kg.The Tambunan lass said after the prize giving ceremony that she was carrying a sight injury on her back but was glad that she managed to make a comeback and win the gold in the clean and jerk.
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"I was a bit disappointed on losing the gold in the snatch. My personal best was 68kg so that was a bit of a setback. However, to be able to win the clean and jerk was good enough for me and I am really happy I did it."
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Sabah Weightlifting Association President Philip Gisan, who is one of the judges in the competition was happy with the athletes' contribution to the State."Loro as expected did us proud with the golds as well as the record. It was joint effort done by all the people involved and I am very happy we achieved what was expected by the Ministry.He also took note on the miss by Marceeta in her snatch event."Marceeta was expected to win two gold medals but unfortunately luck was not with her today. Anyway three golds and two silvers is still a good result for the team and I hope the next few athletes will help to deliver more for us."
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Meanwhile, it was a very fruitful day for Sabah contingent as the women's sepak takraw team successfully defended their team title with a 2-0 win over Perak in the final in Sibu.Here in Kuching, diver Jellson Jabillin who is based in Bukit Jalil took another silver in the platform event losing to Selangor's Chew Yi Wei.
