Kota Kinabalu: Sabah’s para athletes secured an impressive 10 gold medals at the 13th Asean Para Games 2025 in Thailand, exceeding the initial target of eight golds.
In addition, they also captured 15 silvers and 15 bronzes, as part of Malaysia’s overall medal total of 64 golds, 64 silvers, and 73 bronzes.
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Swimmer Abdul Halim Mohammad was the toast of the team with five gold medals in the 100m freestyle S8 - 1:02.91 (new record), 50m breaststroke S8 - 34.33 (new record), 100m breaststroke S8 - 1:16.16 (new record), 50m freestyle S9 - 27.56 (new record) and 200m IM S7-8 - 2:41.89.
The other five gold medals were delivered by track and field athletes Ivan Jovic Suan who captured three in the 100m T44 (11.61s), 200m T44 (24.25s), 400m T64 - T44/63/64 (56.42s) and one each from Heronlee Wong in the discus throw - F37 (37.40m) and Jonathan Wong Kar Gee in the long jump T12 (6.83m).
Eight of the silver medals came from swimming - Wahyu Eqwal Nazrey (50m backstroke S5 multi-class & 50m butterfly S5 multi-class), Shahafiq Abdullah (100m breaststroke SB7 multi-class), Ethan Khoo Yin Jun (200m IM SM14 multi class & 400m IM SM14 multi class), Sharlinie Valerie Wen Qin Voo (50m freestyle S6 multi class), mixed 4x50m medley team (S1-10) and mixed 4x100m freestyle relay team (S1-10).
Track and field contributed seven silver medals through Eddy Bernard (100m T44 & long jump -combine T42/44/63), Elissieball Jonal (400m T20), Doriah Poulus (javelin F64-combine F42/F44, F63, F64 & shot put F64) and Charmian Sikajat (shot put F20).
Swimming also won the most bronze medals with nine from Shahafiq Abdullah (200m breaststroke SB7), Brenda Anelli Lerrey (50LC metre backstroke S4-S5), Wahyu Eqwal Nazrey (100m butterfly S5 & 100m backstroke S5), Ethan Khoo (100m backstroke S14, 400m freestyle S14, mixed 4x100m freestyle relay S14 & mixed 4 x100m medley relay S14) and Abd Halim (mixed 4x100m medley relay S11-10).
The remaining bronze medals came from Hereonlee Wong (javelin F37), Elissieball Jonal (women’s long jump T20) and Adderin Majurin (shotput F34) in track and field), Mohd Fauzan Ramlan (men’s up to 107kg) in powerlifting, Muhd Lizan Mat Sittim (men’s singles TT3) and Brady Chin Zi Ping (men’s doubles -MD18) in table tennis.
In addition, Norfitriwati Mat Salleh also delivered one silver (singles B8) and a bronze (pairs B8) in the lawn bowls demonstration event, which did not contribute to the official medal tally.
Youth Development, Sports Advancement and Creative Economy Minister Datuk Nizam Abu Bakar Titingan, who was present during the competition representing Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Mohd Noor to give support to the State athletes, was proud of their success for the country at the seven-day competition.
He reckoned Sabah could have contributed more gold medals if swimmer Shahafiq Abdullah did not come down with fever.
During his stay, Nizam also visited the national contingent secretariat centre and competition venues as well as presenting medals to the winners.
