MALAYSIA GAMES (Sukma), Malaysia’s own version of the University Games, has always been the hotbed for supplying sporting talents.
Sporting heroes like Lee Chong Wei, Azizulhasni Awang and Pandelela Rinong were spotted in previous editions of Sukma before going on to become Olympic medallists. StarSport profiles six up-and-coming athletes to watch over the next eight days.
Jonah Chang
State: Sarawak
Age: 21
Sport: Athletics
The shot putt gold medal is Jonah Chang’s to lose in Kuching. The Sarikei-born lad has cemented his status as Malaysia’s top shot putter after smashing his own national record of 17.67m three times at the Pahang Open in May.
He threw distances of 17.69m, 18.09m and 18.46m. Jonah has owned the record since last October when he surpassed the previous national best of 17.54m set by Adi Alifuddin Hussin in 2011.
A successful title defence in Kuching will add momentum to Jonah’s bid to finish on the SEA Games podium for the first time next year. The SEA Games record stands at 18.14m.
Mohd Dhuha Zulfikry
State: Federal Territories
Age: 16
Sport: Swimming
The Kuala Lumpur-born teenager is slated to be a strong medal prospect in swimming when Malaysia hosts the 2027 SEA Games. Dhuha was the only gold medallist for Malaysia at the Asian Schools Games in Vietnam in May after he came out tops in the boys’ 400m freestyle.
His coach is none other than former multiple SEA Games gold medallist swimmer Daniel Bego.
Like Paris Olympian swimmer Khiew Hoe Yean, Dhuha excels in the middle and long distance swimming events.
Dhuha will be hoping to win his first Sukma gold medal for FT in the boys’ 1500m freestyle.
Wong Qi Shen
State: Kedah
Age: 20
Sport: Table tennis
Table tennis makes a return to the Sukma programme after a lapse of 10 years and Kedah will be pinning its hopes on Wong Qi Shen.
The left-handed paddler is the current national champion and will start as the top seed in the men’s singles.
Qi Shen shattered the domination of players from the Klang Valley in the last three decades and is the first national men’s singles national champion from Kedah.
He is also the current MSSM (national schools) champion. A Sukma gold medal will make him the pride and joy of the northern state.
Dayang Nursharzyra
Awang Nasaruddin
State: Sarawak
Age: 17
Sport: Diving
Women’s diving is also making a comeback after it was last contested in the 2018 Perak Sukma and this presents Dayang Nursharzyra Awang Nasaruddin the perfect opportunity to stamp her mark.
Having grown up since her Sukma debut in Ipoh, the 17-year-old will carry Sarawak’s hopes in the girls individual and synchro competition.
Dayang defeated Cambodia SEA Games gold medallist Lee Yiat Qing to win the girls’ 3m springboard individual title in the national age-group diving championships in Bukit Jalil in May.
Her coach is former SEA Games gold medallist Rosatimah Muhammad, who is now tasked with producing future Olympians for the state.
U. Thanusaa
State: Melaka
Age: 18
Sport: Squash
She models her game after current national No. 1 S. Sivasangari and at 19, Kuching will be the ideal stage for her crowning as the Sukma squash queen.
Thanusaa earned a timely confidence boost after capturing the inaugural Sharon Wee Trophy in her home state with a closely fought 12-10, 11-7, 9-11, 11-5 win over Goh Zhi Xuan.
Thanusaa is the reigning Asian Under-19 champion and featured in the girls’ bronze medal winning team in the recent World Junior Squash Championships in the United States. Besides the girls’ individual, Thanusaa will also combine with Andrik Lim for the mixed doubles in Sarawak.
Arlia Nur Falisha Mohd Zairi
State: Federal Territories
Age: 16
Sport: Archery
Archery runs in Arlia Nur Falisha Mohd Zairi’s family. She travelled all the way to Paris with her parents to watch elder sister Ariana Nur Dania Mohd Zairi shoot for Malaysia in Olympic recurve archery.
It was an eye-opening experience for her although her sister did not manage to make it past the early rounds of the individual knockout competition.
But she has a chance to shoot for the podium for Federal Territories in the girls’ individual recurve and team.
The Form Four student of SMK Aminuddin Baki Kuala Lumpur has numerous chances to strike as archery in Sukma comprises contests over distances of 30m, 50m, 70m, 90m as well as the Olympic round.
