By Dayangku Hidayatul
KUCHING, Dec 2: Karen Lyne Dick has made history by becoming the first Malaysian to clinch a title at the World Table Tennis (WTT) Feeder Vientiane 2025, emerging as the Women’s Doubles Champion and Mixed Doubles Runner-Up in Laos, also securing the Women’s Doubles Runner-Up title at the WTT Feeder Vila Nova de Gaia 2025 in Portugal.
During his ministerial winding-up speech at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUS) sitting today, Minister of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said Sarawakian athletes continue to shine across a wide range of sports, showcasing exceptional talent, dedication and international competitiveness.
“My Ministry is proud that Sarawakian athletes continue to excel nationally and internationally, reinforcing Sarawak’s role in Malaysia’s sporting success.
“Their achievements in archery, aquatics, bodybuilding, boxing, cycling, dance sport, diving, golf, handball, Muaythai, table tennis, tenpin bowling and Silambam highlight the strength of our development system and the dedication, skill and commitment of our young sporting talents,” he said.
He highlighted several notable achievers, including Gillian Lim, who was named the Professional Women’s Bowling Association (PWBA) Rookie of the Year 2025 in the United States.
Following Eldred Kho Yek Zhen secured third place in the Boys’ Doubles at the Asian Junior Championship in Doha, Qatar, in ten-pin bowling.
In golf, Mirabel Ting Ern Huo made her LPGA debut at the Amundi Evian Championship in France and later advanced to the Final Stage of the LPGA Q-Series in Alabama.
In combat sports, Daeloniel McDelon Bong, better known as Kilat Boy, won the WBC Asia Continental Super Bantamweight Championship and continued his success at the TWINS Championship 103. Meanwhile, Muhammad Mikail Ghazali Zulfikar (Miki) secured a gold medal at the IFMA Muaythai Youth World Championship in Abu Dhabi.
In archery, Joey Tan Xing Lei earned a bronze medal in the Recurve Women’s Team event at the 24th Asian Archery Championships 2025 in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Sarawak also excelled in Silambam, with Aysraff Aqil Mohamad Zainurrin Azman winning gold in the Poruthal above 55kg category at the World Open Silambam Championship in Doha, Qatar, while Hani Qurratu ‘Ain Samsuddin brought home silver in the above 70kg category.
At the 11th Asian Aquatics Championships 2025 in Ahmedabad, India, Sarawak divers delivered multiple podium finishes:
- Elvis Priestly Clement won silver in the 3m Springboard Synchro.
- Elisha Rania Rajagopal earned silver in the 3m Springboard, silver in Women’s Platform Synchro, and bronze in the 10m Platform.
- Bertrand Rhodict and Enrique Maccartney Harold secured silver in the Men’s Platform Synchro.
- Nurul Farisya Alia Affendi claimed silver in the Women’s Platform Synchro.
In bodybuilding, Malaysia shone at the 19th Southeast Asian and 57th Asian Bodybuilding and Physique Sports Championship in Bangkok, where Dr Malvern Abdullah won silver in the Men’s Athletic Physique up to 160cm, while Joseph Ladi and Azri Asmat Sefri earned bronze in the men’s 65kg and 55kg categories, respectively.
At the Sarawak International Open Dance Sport Championship 2025, Eunice Chen Xin Ling swept three titles: Female Solo Youth Latin, Solo Youth Single Dance and Group Open.
In handball, a remarkable 15-year-old duo, Rossavel Abia Usun Lusat and Esther Charles Urek, achieved a top-10 world ranking at the International Handball Federation Trophy in Suphan Buri, Thailand.
In cricket, Mohammad Hariz Afnan Sulhie received a national call-up for the Asian Cricket Council Men’s U19 Premier Cup in Ajman, UAE.
Abdul Karim also emphasised Sarawak’s growing dominance in cycling with strong national results:
- Track Cycling: 4 gold, 7 silver and 1 bronze at the Malaysia National Track Championships in Johor, led by standout cyclists Muhammad Daniel Hakim Zulkaisi and Afif Darwysh Mohammad Nazir.
- Mountain Bike (MTB): Aimy Nazurah Rais won the Women’s Youth MTB title, with Sharifah Nur Aina Marissa and Nur Farah Ain Nabiela achieving podium finishes in Machang, Kelantan.
- BMX: Luthfil Hasief Freddie and Airis Nabihah Rais clinched national titles in Nilai, Negeri Sembilan.
“These achievements highlight Sarawak’s growing strength across track, MTB and BMX disciplines,” Karim concluded. — DayakDaily
