By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, Sept 26: The Sarawak men’s badminton squad rose to the occasion at the Borneo Games 2025 by toppling archrivals Sabah 4-1 in the team final to bag a coveted gold medal, while the women’s side finished as runners-up after going down to the same opponents.
The home crowd had plenty to cheer for when men’s singles player Goh Shun Huat opened the scoreline with a dominant 21-8, 21-17 win. Sabah managed to draw level through their doubles combination, who pushed the Sarawak pair of Ho Sin Hong and Jeremy Juan Zhen Liang into a three-set thriller.
However, Sarawak quickly regained control with Shawn Hiu turning his match around after a shaky first set to secure victory in straight games.
The decisive point came from the pairing of Kong Chee Kiet and Barrie Chong Kwang Wei, whose composed performance sealed Sarawak’s golden moment.
Meanwhile, the women’s team were forced to settle for silver after a spirited challenge ended in a 1-4 defeat to Sabah.
Sarawak’s sole victory came from sisters Felicia Fong Xin Hui and Flora Fong Xin Jie, who impressed with a straight-set win in their doubles tie.
Despite brave efforts from the other singles and doubles matches, Sabah proved too strong on the day to walk away with the top podium finish, while Sarawak bagged silver and East Kalimantan claimed bronze.
Results recap
Men’s Team Final
- Sarawak 4 – 1 Sabah (Gold for Sarawak)
- Men’s Singles 1: Goh Shun Huat beat Victor Yap Ka How (21-8, 21-17)
- Men’s Doubles 1: Ho Sin Hong/Jeremy Juan Zhen Liang lost to Eddrall Atek Deavis/Hymns Shim (23-21, 13-21, 18-21)
- Men’s Singles 2: Shawn Hiu beat Muhammad Nur Azhar Zunaide (15-21, 21-11, 21-14)
- Men’s Doubles 2: Kong Chee Kiet/Barrie Chong Kwang Wei beat Muhammad Yasrin S. Ruslan/Mohd Nur Syazwansyah Suriansa (21-13, 21-17)
- Men’s Singles 3: Chung Jia Ho lost to Hafiz Hakimi Hashim (19-21, retired)
= Sarawak gold, Sabah silver, East Kalimantan bronze
Women’s Team Final
- Sarawak 1 – 4 Sabah (Silver for Sarawak)
- Women’s Singles 1: Brenda Jong Jing Hui lost to Saidatul Saadiah Muhammad (11-21, 14-21)
- Women’s Doubles 1: Felicia Fong Xin Hui/Flora Fong Xin Jie beat Chua Jing Xuan/Lim Ke Xuan (21-12, 21-17)
- Women’s Singles 2: Janice Tchin Yao Xuan lost to Cassey Rynn Rompog (23-25, 12-21)
- Women’s Doubles 2: Wafa Shahmina Rahman/Genevie Lim Tsin Yeen lost to Adrina Aysha Anscelly/Saidatul Saadiah Muhammad (14-21, 25-23, 20-22)
- Women’s Singles 3: Wafa Shahmina Rahman lost to Jola Lim Zi Yu (7-11, retired)
= Sabah gold, Sarawak silver, East Kalimantan bronze
– DayakDaily
