TAWAU: Airiel Amani Kahar of Kalabakan sprinted to victory in the men’s 100m event at the 11th Sabah Games (Saga XI) 2025 at the Tawau Sports Complex on Wednesday morning.
Airiel clocked 10.67 seconds to secure the gold medal, while Ranau’s Carlson Camilus took silver with 10.72 seconds. Muhammad Muzaffar Shah Abdul Sahidiu finished third in 10.77 seconds for bronze.
In the women’s category, Sandakan’s Siti Norjahera Beliamor won gold with a time of 12.48 seconds, followed by Tuaran’s Bibi Halina Aloysius in 12.52 seconds for silver. Putatan’s Dayangku Nursyafinaz Syazikah settled for bronze with 12.69 seconds.
A total of 14 gold medals were contested on the fourth day of athletics events.
Meanwhile, the fourth day of Saga XI saw three new records in the athletics events showcasing the rising talent and competitive spirit among young Sabah athletes.
The first record of the day came from the men’s 400m hurdles when Sandakan’s Dexter Palmin clocked 55.00 seconds, breaking the previous record of 55.22s set by Kota Marudu’s Deaigo Emanuell Wayring during Saga IX.
Alvinsyah Ziqkryzam Paul of Lahad Datu won silver with a time of 55.30s, while Kota Kinabalu’s Muhammad Nurmansyah Nurdin settled for bronze at 55.57 seconds.
Two more records were broken in the afternoon through the women’s 800m and men’s 4x100m relay.
In the women’s 800m, Kota Belud’s Nur Syifa Raisya Adnan Firdaus finished in 2 minutes 23 seconds, surpassing the previous record of 2 minutes 24 seconds held by Keningau’s Hizillawanty Jamain.
Sharlene Fioney Sonny took silver with a time of 2 minutes 29 seconds, while Angeline Fet Yung of Ranau claimed bronze after clocking 2 minutes 33 seconds.
The highlight of the day came in the men’s 4x100m relay, where the Sandakan quartet of Alif Zulmizan Mohd Aliawal, Mukhriz Ameer Izzuddin, Muhammad Fareez Adam and Pengiran Aidil Auf blazed to victory with a new record time of 41.42 seconds, improving on their own 41.83-second record set earlier during the heats.
Tambunan finished second with a time of 41.98 seconds, while Kalabakan settled for bronze at 42.25 seconds despite featuring 100m champion Airiel Amani Kahar.
Meanwhile in sepak takraw, Papar athletes have once again proven their skill in the sport by winning both the men’s and women’s doubles categories.
The competition, held at the Vision School Tawau hall on Tuesday afternoon, saw fierce competition between the best teams from across the districts.
In the women’s doubles event, Papar triumphed over Beluran with a score of 15-11, 15-13, thus awarding them the gold medal. Beluran secured the silver, while Kalabakan and Nabawan shared the bronze.
In the men’s doubles events, Papar continued their dominance by defeating Kuala Penyu in a thrilling three-set match 15-10, 13-15, 15-10, clinching their second gold medal in the event. Kuala Penyu took the silver medal, while Semporna and Beluran each received bronze.
This double victory has cemented Papar’s position as the dominant force in sepak takraw at Saga XI so far.
The medal presentation ceremony was officiated by this year’s Saga Sepak Takraw Competitions Director and Sabah State Astaka President Datuk Roslie Ibrahim.
