Kota Kinabalu: Sabah’s weightlifters returned with five golds, five silvers and three bronzes to finish third overall at the National Weightlifting Championship 2024 held in Segamat, Johor which ended on Sunday.
Muhammad Alianafiah delivered the fifth gold.
Muhammad Alianafiah from the Malaysia Sabah Sports School won the fifth gold for the contingent in the men’s 96kg category with 105kg in the snatch and 140kg in the clean and jerk on Sunday.
The final day also saw Nurul Atiqah Albort Ten taking home a silver in the women’s 71kg category by lifting snatch at 60kg and 70kg in the clean and jerk, and a bronze from Henry Stephen Gampion with his lift of snatch at 100kg and clean and jerk at 130kg.
The 18-member squad had earlier won four golds through Sherelyne Kirinus (women’s 55kg category), Villon Munsin (men’s junior 67kg), Irene Jane Henry (women’s 45kg) and Adrianne Jane Sarin (women’s 49kg).
The early silvers were from Sharon Justine (men’s junior 73kg), Sherelyne Jounis (women’s junior 55kg), Dawson Daimo (men’s 61kg) and Kevdylan Wong (men’s 67kg senior), while the other bronzes were delivered by Ellma Suzie Henry (women’s youth 45kg) and Velerick Martin (men’s senior) on the opening day.
Sabah Weightlifting Association president Philip Gisan was pleased with the overall achievement of the team which included six athletes from the Malaysia Sabah Sports School namely Irene Jane Henry, Villion Ryan, Dawson Daimo, Harry Bulungun, Sharon Jastine and Mohammed Alianafiah.
However, he reckoned there are still some weaknesses that need to be rectified for the Sukma-bound athletes before they are ready for a successful outing at the competition in August.
He also expressed his gratitude to the Youth and Sports Ministry through Sabah Sports Council and the Sukma committee for their support and financial assistance.
