By Afix Redzuan
SHAH ALAM, Aug 15 — Mandy Cebelle Chen’s two-gold victory has given the Selangor contingent the boost they need to chase success at the Malaysian Games (Sukma) in Sarawak.
Selangor State Sports Council executive director Mohamad Nizam Marjugi told Media Selangor the victories put Selangor on track for its medal target.
“During the two days of the championship, we are on track to our medal (target) after Mandy’s success in wushu.
“Yesterday, she won in the taijijian event, for which we targeted gold. Today she added a gold for the taijiquan event, which we listed as a ‘bonus’ medal-earning event,” he said.
Mandy is the first athlete to win two gold medals in the biennial Sukma.
The 21-year-old earned 9.606 points in a close contest with the Federal Territories exponent, who fell to second with 9.600 points. Hosts Sarawak won third.
Yesterday, Mandy conquered the taijijian event with 9.603 points and won Selangor’s first gold medal, beating home opponent Carmen Jia Min Chaw and the Federal Territories’ Kwan Yong Xin.
Meanwhile, Nizam said rainy weather since morning was the reason for the state cycling squad’s poor performance.
“The race involved hilly terrain and with rain since the morning, it was a 50-50 for all racers.
“The hilly route tested all racers’ physical and mental strength. However, our athletes managed to finish today’s race,” he said.
There are 488 gold medals up for grabs through 37 sports at Sukma 2024. As many as 9,927 athletes from all over the nation have joined the event, with Brunei also invited to compete.
