Kota Kinabalu: Sailor Muhammad Asnawi and pencak silat exponent Nor Farah Mazlan were crowned Sabah Sportsman and Sportswoman of the year 2023-24 at the Awards Ceremony held at Magellan Sutera Resort on Friday.
They received their awards and RM10,000 prize from the Head of State Tun Musa Aman.
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Both athletes credited their fathers for their successful beginnings in sports.
Twenty-year-old Asnawi, who hails from Inanam, shared how his father’s guidance sparked his journey at the tender age of six.
“I soon found out that it is the best thing to happen to me. I then decided to carry on and trained hard, hoping to go far in this sport, “he said.
The Langkawi based national athlete also expressed his surprise at winning the award, especially after being named the most promising sportsman in 2021-22.
He has made significant strides since then, securing a bronze medal at the Cambodia SEA Games 2023 and another bronze at the Hangzhou Asian Games 2024, alongside a gold medal at the Sarawak Malaysia Games (Sukma) XXI 2024.
His ultimate goal is to qualify for the Olympics in the future.
Nor Farah, 28, also started her journey at the age of six under her father’s support and celebrated her second consecutive win at this year’s awards, following her first victory in 2023.
“I am very happy to have won the award twice. There is no secret to my achievement. I just worked hard and gave my very best,” she stated.
The Kota Belud lass has made an impressive mark on the international stage, having been crowned the world champion in Dubai in 2024, as well as clinching the Asian title in 2023 and securing a gold medal at the 2023 SEA Games.
She is looking forward for more success this year and her aim is to win gold medals in this year’s Asian Championship, Asian Games and World Championship.
The evening also saw Eddie Bernard and Brenda Anellia Larry named the sportsman and sportswoman in the Para-category.
Twenty-five-year-old Eddy’s notable achievement came during the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris, where he made history by becoming the first athlete from Sabah to win a bronze medal in the 100m T44 category.
The world ninth ranked athlete from Beluran is also the current Asian record holder in the 100m T44 category.
Brenda, 21, clinched a gold medal at the World Para Series held in Singapore in 2023. The national S4 record holder is currently ranked 5th in Asia and 16th in the world.
Meanwhile, Muaythai swept the most promising categories. Jaethen Jonagthan Quan took the sportsman award and the sportswoman award went to Eva Anatasia Warren.
The best coach award was won by Arif Mulis (pencak silat) while Eva Wong (swimming) took home the para coach award.
Sabah Sepaktakraw Association president Datuk Haji Roslie Ibrahim was honoured with the tokoh sukan award.
Other winners were Spencer Soo Kok Heng (sports leadership), Sabah Muaythai Association (best sports association), Sepaktakraw (best men team) and Sabah FA (best women team).
There were also special awards given to Chong Man Kuen @ Andrew, Borneo Samudera Sdn Bhd, Sabah Softwoods Bhd and Jetama Sdn Bhd.
Also present at the ceremony were the Head of State’s wife Toh Puan Hajah Faridah Tusin, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Mohd Noor, Minister of Youth Development, Sports Advancement and Creative Economy (MySpace) Datuk Nizam Abu Bakar Titingan and his assistant Datuk Seri Anil Sandhu, and state secretary Datuk Seri Safar Untong.
