Kota Kinabalu: Sabahan armwrestlers delivered two gold medals and one silver for Malaysia at the VIER Sport International Armwrestling competition held in Jakarta on Sunday.
Joffey Jolly, who was recently crowned world champion in the men’s right hand -70kg category at the IFA World Armwrestling Championship 2023 in October, lived up to expectation to clinch the Pro 70kg title.
In second place was Park Saeyoon from South Korea and Indonesian Andhi Shodiyarno in third place.
Sabah strongest woman Joyce Heng won the other gold in the women open category by beating Indonesians Velly Natalien Susilo and Anisa Fathin who finished in second and third place respectively.
Joyce was delighted to have won her maiden international title despite only getting into the sport early this year in the local scene.
“This is my first international arm wrestling competition and I am very happy to win the gold medal for the country.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank my coach Jolly Johnson for his guidance and support,” she said.
Meanwhile, the silver medal came from Calveen Petrus in the men’s pro open category. He finished behind South Korea’s Ji Hyunmin with Dion Ombeng from Indonesia in third place.
The Malaysian contingent also took home a bronze in the men’s pro 100kg category from Kuala Lumpur-based Jake Chia who finished third behind champion Baek Seongyeol from South Korea and German Roland Kamtschiev.
According to Joyce, more than 200 athletes from Bulgaria, Germany, Russia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, South Korea and Indonesia took part in the two-day annual event.
