TAMBUNAN: Malaysia’s Daved Simpat and Celeste Teo Lian Geok emerged as the champions of the men’s and women’s open categories at the Mount Trusmadi International
Climbathon (MTIC) which was held for the first time in the State and district in particular which also attracted participation from foreign countries.
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The event was held in conjunction with the District Level Kaamatan Festival celebration held here on Saturday.
The second and third spots in the men’s open were won respectively by Wilsen Singgin and Milton Amat, both participants from Malaysia while the fourth and fifth places were won by another Malaysian Jude Maikol and Kenyan Simon Rotich.
Meanwhile, the second and third places for the women’s open went to Malaysians Shamiera Auther and Rose Gimbaloh followed by compatriots Adelinah Lintanga and Kona Liau.
A total of 368 participants including 27 from 13 foreign countries namely Brunei, New Zealand, Singapore, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Kenya, United States of America,
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Philippines, France, Sweden, Czech Republic, Japan and Poland took up the 21km and 30km challenge in MTIC 2024.
Earlier Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor in his speech delivered by Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey G. Kitingan said the 2,642-metre Trusmadi is the second highest mountain after Mount Kinabalu.
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He said it is not only a treasure and pride but also a symbol of Sabah’s heritage because it stands majestically as an amazing natural landscape in the State.
“Mount Kinabalu is a Unesco World Heritage Site and is admired around the world, along with Mount Trusmadi, both are important biological sites, home to a wide variety of flora and fauna at different heights.
“Many who have climbed Mount Kinabalu and Mount Trusmadi can testify that both are difficult and challenging.
“Climbing at high altitude is not for everyone but for those who have set their sights on such a challenge it is certainly an adventure, a challenge and a goal they have set for themselves,” he said.
Hajiji said that climbing is not a game because it will go through steep mountains, difficult terrain, weather, various risks and it is necessary to prioritise safety in all preparations.
He thanked the organisers for their cooperation, the Sabah Forestry Department, the District Office, the Velocity Running Club and the support of various departments and agencies in ensuring the overwhelming success of MTIC.
Meanwhile, Hajiji invited MTIC participants to spend time participating in the Kaamatan Festival which is usually celebrated every year in May, which has deep cultural significance for the Kadazan-Dusun, Murut, Rungus (KDMR) indigenous people in Sabah.
“It is a time of thanksgiving for the abundant harvest, and a time to showcase the wealth of cultural heritage, as well as everything related to traditional Sabah, including music, dance and food,” he said.
All the prizes were presented by Jeffrey who is also the State Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry to the winning participants.
Also present were Chief of Sabah’s Forests Conservator Datuk Fredrick Kugan, Chief Executive Officer of the Sabah Tourism Board Julinus Jeffrey Jimit, Chairman of MTIC Musa Salleh, District Officer Sabitun Makajil and Velocity Running Club Race Director cum Co-Chairman of MTIC Andrew Lian Awa.