SWKSUKMA220824
SELANGOR tennis player Sharifah Elsa Wan Abdul Rahman has finally got it right in her fourth and final attempt to win a gold at the Malaysia Games (Sukma).
The 21-year-old upset Perak’s Shihomi Leong in the girl’s singles final, winning the match 6-1, 6-1 at the Sarawak Lawn Tennis Association (SLTA) yesterday.
“I feel very happy and glad to win because I have worked hard for this, it’s my last year competing in Sukma and I’m relieved to have it end this way,” said Sharifah, who has also competed in the 2016, 2018 and 2022 editions.
“Shihomi is a tough player, of course, it wasn’t easy on the court. But I kept the focus on myself and just tried to get every ball back, which helped me today,” she said. Sharifah was relieved to win gold, as her previous best result at the Sukma came at the 2016 edition in Sarawak, where she took home the bronze medal.
“I got bronze before, so to get my first gold medal at my last Sukma appearance is quite sweet,” she said.
She is unsure on what she intends to do with her gold medal win incentives, but among them is to get a new phone and have a modest celebration with her family.
Selangor gold medal winners will be awarded RM10,000 for their victory at the Sarawak Sukma.
“I may want to treat myself to a new phone and I will share my winnings with my loved ones too,” she said.
“My coaches, parents, and family are the reason I am where I am, so it’s my way of thanking everyone who has helped me,” she said.
The youngster said her goal was to move up the ranks in the International Tennis Federation (ITF), where she currently sit at 402.
“I want to be competing in more professional tournaments to get more ranking points, that’s the plan for now,” she said.
“I might be going to either Singapore or Australia next month to compete, but the details have not been decided yet.”
Meanwhile, Terengganu’s Anja Samia Nayar claimed the bronze medal after Nao Phang Ziyi gave her a walkover in the third-placing match.
