By Wilfred Pilo
KUCHING, Aug 19: Sarawakian athlete Jonah Chang Rigan has registered 17.66 metres in the second throw for the men’s shot put event, smashing the previous Malaysian Games (Sukma) record of 17.31m.
The silver medal went to Kelantanese Wan Muhammad Irfan Wan Mohd Tahar with a throw of 14.38m, while the bronze went to Sabahan athlete Nathanial Majid with a throw of 13.83m.
This is not the first time that the 21-year-old athlete from Sarikei has made history as he also shattered the national men’s shot put record at the International Athletics Championships in South Korea in October last year with a distance of 17.67m and erased the national mark of 17.54m set by Alifuddin Hussin at the 2011 Palembang Sea Games.
Prior to that, his previous best was 17.43m, registered at the Philippines Open for gold in April 2023.
When interviewed, Jonah lamented that he could have done better if he had not been mending his injury to his chest and arm muscles.
“Everything is good. Everything went smoothly. I am just disappointed because I have an injury. I did not expect too much. I want to do 18 meters, but what can I do,” he told reporters after the shot put event at Sarawak Stadium here today.
He elaborated that he wanted to focus on the next event of the discus throw on Wednesday (Aug 21), stating that he needs to be careful not to worsen his injuries and promised to do his best.
He shared that he could feel his chest and arm muscle injuries after the third throw as he broke the previous record despite it being heavily taped to help his movement.
In his third event, the hammer throw, he also expects a good challenge with Perlis’s athletes as they have the same personal best throws.
“I hope for the best in the event,” he said.
As this would be his last Sukma, Jonah said he wanted to have a break and retreat to his fruit farm at his village in Sarikei.
Jonah’s national shot put record is 18.46m, which he achieved at the Pahang Open in May 2024. — DayakDaily
