TAWAU: The Penampang contingent bagged five gold medals in karate at the 11th Sabah Games (Saga) 2025.
The five gold medals came from the Men’s Kumite Under 75kg, Men’s Kumite Under 84kg, Women’s Individual Kata, Women’s Kumite Under 68kg and Women’s Team Kumite categories.
The contingent also brought home three silver medals in the Men’s Team Kata, Men’s Team Kumite and Women’s Kumite Over 68kg categories, along with seven bronze medals.
Meanwhile, the Kota Kinabalu contingent finished second with a total of four golds and one silver, while Beaufort secured third place with two golds, two silvers and one bronze.
The medal presentation ceremony was held at the Ixora Hall, Mara Junior Science College (MRSM) here Sunday.
Additionally, four special awards were presented – Best Male and Female Kata, won by Kota Kinabalu athletes Nur Rasyiqah Fari’ah Razmi and Alvince Zurizal, and Best Male and Female Kumite, awarded to Beaufort’s Khairil Iman Ahmat Hamzah and Tambunan’s Adeola Fay Robert, respectively.
Meanwhile, the petanque event offered four gold medals on the second day of Sabah Games 2025.
The first gold medal was won by Sandakan participant Nur Anis Natasha Aziyan in the Women’s Shooting category.
Silver went to Putatan representative Alesya Shahirah Abu Bakar while Pitas athlete Siti Nur Vivianah Chia took home the bronze.
In the Men’s Shooting category, Kudat contingent celebrated as Azwan Bassal @ Randy clinched the gold medal, while the silver and bronze went to Muhammad Nazri Daniel Abdullah Salleh from Membakut and Muhammad Fariz Ahmad Nor Abdullah representing Kota Kinabalu, respectively.
The third gold medal in petanque was secured by a participant from Sook – a district newly participating in Saga – through Thadis Henehera Vennice in the Women’s Singles category.
The silver and bronze medals were won by Papar’s Nurul Azirah Mazlee and Keningau’s Azzyati Hajimah Jamrih, respectively.
The final gold medal came from the Men’s Singles category, where Putatan’s Ainol Shahramadhan Abu Bakar emerged champion.
The silver medal went to Kudat’s Mohamad Asrul Haiqal Abd Tahir and the bronze was claimed by Pitas representative Herry Aboy Josly.
The prize-giving ceremony was officiated by Sabah Sports Council (MSN) Director Mohd Asneh Mohd Noor, witnessed by Putatan District Officer Masawi Salleh.
Meanwhile in the Sabah Games netball event, host team Tawau had to concede to Keningau’s dominance after losing 29-61 in the group stage.
In the ninth match of the tournament, Keningau controlled the game from the first quarter until the final whistle.
Keningau took an early lead in the first quarter with a 16-4 score, extending it to 30-12 by halftime.
The momentum continued in the third quarter as Keningau widened the gap to 48-21, leaving Tawau struggling to catch up.
In the final quarter, Tawau managed to add only eight points while Keningau sealed their victory with 12 more, ending the match 61-29 in favour of Keningau.
With the win, Keningau advanced to the next round, while Tawau bowed out in the group stage.
