KUALA LUMPUR: The Sarawak para powerlifting squad is targeting four gold, three silver and three bronze medals at the Para SUKMA Selangor 2026, with a new competition format that takes only the best lift into account set to test each athlete’s strategy.
Team Manager Rusmalina Mat Darus said the target was set based on the athletes' current strength and performance, while taking into account the change in the competition format compared to the previous edition which also counted the total lift.
“For this Para SUKMA, only the best lift event is contested rather than the total lift. So, we have set a target of four gold, three silver and three bronze medals,” she said when met during the Sarawak para powerlifting squad’s training session at the Paralympic Sports Excellence Centre in Kampung Pandan here on Wednesday.
Sarawak’s four gold medal hopes rest on Bryan Junency John in the men’s 88-kilogramme (kg) category, Johannes Gabriel Chiew in the men’s 65kg category, Bibiana Ahmad in the women’s lightweight category and Sona Agon in the women’s heavyweight category.
According to Rusmalina, the Sarawak powerlifting squad line-up for this edition consists of 13 athletes made up of nine men and four women, including several new faces who could potentially spring a surprise in the competition.
Among those drawing attention is Anson Tiong Cheong Huat, who was initially targeted for a silver medal, but recent progress has put him in contention for gold.
"We are targeting silver for Anson, but it is possible that he could win a gold medal. We have seen his development during the recent national circuit," she said.
Rusmalina said the experience of the established athletes, coupled with the current form of the emerging line-up, would be among the key factors in Sarawak’s bid to achieve its medal target.
With only the best lift determining the outcome, every attempt will carry greater significance in the battle for podium places, making strategic precision, weight selection and the athletes’ ability to handle pressure crucial throughout the competition.
The Sarawak para powerlifting squad is now in the final stages of preparation to ensure every athlete is in peak condition as the team seeks to deliver its four-gold target at this year’s Games. -UKASnews
Prepared By: Jonnie Kiew
Photo: Muhammad Rais Sanusi
Translator: Nerissa Sia
