KUANTAN, 9 September – Pahang paddler, Mohd Adib Kamaruzrizan gave another superb performance today.

He is now half way to be crowned the overall champion in the men’s TK1 national category when he won Stage 3 race of the Pahang Ocean Paddle International Challenge 2022 (POPIC 2022) at Pantai Balok here on Friday.

Adib recorded a time of 1 hour 19 minutes 21.95 seconds to once again leaving his two nearest challengers – Daing Sulaiman Daing Suhaimi (1:19:57.33s) and Freddy Anggang (1:21:09.43s) in the 13 kilometer race.

“Before this tournament started, I realized that Daing and Freedy would be among my main challengers. Freddy can be considered a legend in canoeing because he has extensive experience but Daing and I are still new.

“So for the remaining two stages, I try to maintain the momentum and if possible, continue to increase the gap. I will try my best and the rest I will leave it to God to emerge as the overall champion,” according to Adib who won Stages 1 and 2 before.

The Pahang pairing, Ahmad Azfaruddin Lukman-Imam Sujadi Satta also maintained their status as the leader of the men’s TK2 category by being strongly challenged by another Pahang representative, David Bong Xia Shing-Aderian Adek and the Terengganu duo, Muhammad Adhwa Danish-Muhammad Mustaqim.

In the Stage 3 race, Azfaruddin-Imam Sujadi, who initially emerged as the first winner, was given a two-minute penalty for following the wrong route, resulting in them falling to second place.

The same fate also befell David Bong-Aderian who fell in third place despite crossing the finish line in second place while the luck of the ‘champion’ belonged to Adhwa Danish-Mustaqim who had previously finished the race in third place.

“With two stages left, our strategy is just to maintain the momentum. Firstly, right from the start, we will try to position at the front or second place, we will try our best to leave other competitors behind,” said Azfaruddin.

Meanwhile, the representatives of Terengganu who are also a pair of siblings, Norazita-Nursaibah Syahida Ibrahim continued to top the women’s TK2 category chart as the overall leader when they emerged as champions with a time of 1:26:29.13s.

The sibling duo representing Outdoor Addict, Dayang Nur Sakinah-Dayang Nur Hanisah Awang Ali, took second place when they recorded 1:30:54.19s while Siti Normah Abdul Rahman-Mustika Ayuni Mustofa came in third (1:30:57.37s).

For the men’s inter-varsity category, the defending champion status belongs to Tuan Muhamad Hidzam Tuan Dolah-Mohd Azman Ibrahim (UNISZA); runner-up Muhammad Farhan Haqimi Abdul Latiff-Mohamad Faiz Rosdin (UTHM) and third place Mohamad Izzat Anam-Muhammad Hafizi Ab Aziz (UNISZA).

For the women’s inter-varsity category, UTHM representatives, Ain Syuhadah Zulkifli-Nur Amira Syafiqah Rosli emerged as champions followed by Nur Aleya Nafisha Norhanafi-Alya Athirah Shaharaziz (UTHM) and Nor Natasha Mohd Yusuf-Yusriyah Athirah Yusof (Outdoor Edit UPSI).

The POPIC 2022 highlight of the international category once again saw former world champions Dawid Mocke from South Africa and Danielle McKenzie (New Zealand) defend their status as leaders of the men’s and women’s competition.

However, the main podium of the men’s international category Stage 3 was grabbed by the Under-23 world runner-up, MacKenzie Hynard, thus promising fierce competition in the hunt for the overall champion crown with two stages remaining.

POPIC 2022 – the first-ever international canoeing tournament held in Pahang will continue at Stage 4 at Pantai Cherating, Kuantan (Saturday) before ending at Stage 5 at Pantai Teluk Cempedak, Kuantan (Sunday).

KUANTAN, 9 September – Australian, MacKenzie Hynard finally found his way to the main podium.

After two days of trailing behind four-time world champion, Hynard managed to overtake Dawid Mocke to win the third stage of the Pahang Ocean Paddle International Challenge (POPIC) 2022 canoe race at Pantai Balok here.

Local fans can be excited ahead of the final two races as national paddler Aimi Ayumi Azwan jumps to second overall in the women’s event.

The competition between male paddler repeated the intense competition in the two initial stages in Rompin and Pekan, but this time Hynard from Australia finished the first 13 kilometer cycle with a time of one hour 06:25.47 seconds.

The 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 world champion Mocke dropped to third place when he was overtaken by Kent Jenkinson who finished the race with a time of 1’06:35.41s while the South African champion finished the race with a time of 1’06:40.04s.

Mocke however still leads the overall standings after three stages, while New Zealand’s Jenkinson is second. Hynard is in third place but his win today will surely add to his motivation to overtake the two racers in front of him.

“Today’s race was very difficult. The first two days really surprised me, with the hot weather, wind and so on.

“But maybe I have been able to adapt to the hot weather. I also keep telling myself to believe in my own abilities and keep working hard until the finish line,” said Hynard whose nickname is Big Macca.

On his chances of overtaking the overall top spot Hynard said he would use the final two races to close the gap.

“The two riders in front of me will definitely try to stay, all I can do is try as hard as possible in the last two days to close the time gap,” he said.

Hynard also considers POPIC 2022 to be the best race in terms of organization for such a long event.

“I have never seen the organization of a canoe race as grand as this which is very organized organization. Basically we don’t have to do anything other than paddling, other things during these five days such as logistics are all well organized by the organizers,” said the former under-23 world runner-up.

The 2019 world champion Danielle McKenzie continued to strengthen her position as the overall leader of the women’s event after winning the third stage with a time of 1’12:10.20s but saw the two paddlers following her changed places this time.

Aimi Ayuni surprises the local fans when she managed to leave her rival Irin Neegree as the race came to an end and crossed the finish line with a time of 1’25:42.47s while the rower from Thailand was third with a time of 1’26:08.32s.

“My strategy is to start slowly today to save energy, when I pass the second buoy I will go all out.

“For tomorrow maybe I will use the same strategy, and we will see what will happen,” she said, representing Pahang.

McKenzie, who is the favorite to emerge as the women’s champion, leads the overall list while Aimi Ayuni is second with an advantage of about two seconds in front of Irin.

POPIC 2022, which starts at Pantai Hiburan in Rompin, is a unique race for canoe enthusiasts. The five-stage race will end at Pantai Teluk Cempedak this Sunday. The fourth stage race will take place at Pantai Cherating, Kuantan tomorrow.

A total of 39 paddlers participated in the men’s event and 11 competed in the women’s event for the main category.

This race, which offers a total prize of approximately RM300,000, is presented by StageMaker Sdn. Bhd. as an organizer in collaboration with the Pahang state government, Tourism Pahang and Tourism Malaysia.

KUALA LUMPUR, 9 Sept – Terengganu Polygon Cycling Team (TSG) wants to live up to its status as the best team in the Asian continent when it lines up against the powerhouses in the 26th edition of PETRONAS Le Tour de Langkawi 2022, on 11-18 October.

Currently ranked as the 32^nd best team in the world after collecting 1174.75 points and rated as the best team from Asia, TSG however does not want that lofty position to put unnecessary pressure on its riders.

TSG’s Chief Operating Officer, Nasiruddin Wan Idrus said, the six riders who will be selected a few days before the tour begins, are aware of their respective responsibilities and roles to raise the team’s challenge.

“We want to be realistic where we are aiming for only one podium win, whether it’s a stage win or overall, but the riders know what is expected of them because they have enough experience riding and competing at this level.

“What is certain is that TSG has made its plans to put the riders in the best physical and mental condition to compete in the peloton which contains many elite riders from teams with World Team and Pro Continental Team status,” said Nasiruddin when contacted by the PETRONAS LTdL 2022 Media Office.

Nasiruddin said, the team will list its six best riders after the Iran Tour and Tour de Taiwan which starts in early October, while the riders who did not participate in the two races will have a training centre in Gerik, Perak.

TSG will likely put in two of their calibre climbers, Anatolii Budiak from Ukraine and Jambaljamts Sainbayar (Mongolia). They gave some encouraging results at the recent Tour of Sakarya race in Turkiye at the end of last month.

Other than having the duo battle for the overall best individual and team positions, Sainbayar is also expected to strengthen the team’s challenge in the Asian team competition, alongside the two local riders who will be identified at a later date.

Will local sprint specialist Harrif Saleh be selected as part of the peloton this year?

Everything will be determined a few days before PETRONAS LTdL 2022 which starts in Kuala Pilah on 11 October 2022.

Nasiruddin said TSG expects intense competition from the six elite World Tour teams namely UAE Team Emirates, Cofidis, Lotto-Soudal, EF Education-EasyPost, Movistar and Astana-Kazaqstan, in addition to the four Pro Continental teams namely Drone Harper- Androni Giacattoli, Uno X-Pro Cycling, Alpecin-Deceuninck and Burgos-BH.

Stage 1 of PETRONAS Le Tour de Langkawi 2022 will begin in Kuala Pilah to Kuala Lumpur for a distance of 157.3km; Stage 2 Kuala Klawang-Raub (178.9km); Stage 3 Putrajaya-Genting Highlands (123.7km); Stage 4 Sabak Bernam-Meru Raya (137.9km); Stage 5 Kuala Kangsar-Kulim (172.0km); Stage 6 Georgetown-Alor Setar (120.4km); Stage 7 Kuah-Gunung Raya (90.8km) and Stage 8 Loop Langkawi (115.9km), involving a total distance of 1,096.9km.

ABOUT PETRONAS LE TOUR de LANGKAWI
PETRONAS Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL) is a cycling race initiated by former Prime Minister, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad with the objective of boosting the tourism sector and highlighting Malaysia as an attractive destination through the concept of sports tourism.
First organized in 1996 with a UCI 2.6 status, the LTdL has grown rapidly to reach the highest status of 2.0 Hors, making it the most prestigious and largest race in Asia.

PETRONAS LTdL was granted ProSeries status after the absence of the Hors category under the 3-level event structure introduced by the world body Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) for 2020. PETRONAS LTdL attracts the participation of riders and teams from Europe, Asia, America, Africa, South America and Oceania.

Last year, the race had to be cancelled due to the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic which saw all local and international sporting events not being given permission to be organized for almost two years.

ABOUT HUMAN VOYAGE
Human Voyage (M) Sdn. Bhd. is an event management company focussed in organising cycling and touring events. Human Voyage’s involvement and success include organizing world-class cycling events such as the “Langkawi International Mountain Bike Challenge” in addition to being the organizer of the 20th edition of PETRONAS LTdL in 2015. Human Voyage was again the organizer of PETRONAS LTdL in 2019 and 2020.

PEKAN, September 8 – Pahang paddler Mohd Adib Kamaruzrizan maintained his status as the leader of the men’s TK1 national category after winning Stage 2 of the Pahang Ocean Paddle International Challenge 2022 (POPIC 2022) at Pantai Lagenda here on Thursday.

In the 14 kilometer race, Adib recorded a total time of 1 hour 28 minutes 06.03 seconds leaving behind his two closest challengers – Daing Sulaiman Daing Suhaimi (1:29:50.58s) and Freddy Anggang (1:30:01.36s).

“First of all, thank God for today’s victory. Compare to stage 1 yesterday, the challenge in today’s stage 2 race is more of a long distance. Yesterday, the challenge was more of waves.

“Secondly, although I managed to maintain the leading position after two stages, I still could not feel comfortable. Maybe there is a bigger challenge awaits me in the remaining three races,” Adib said.

The experienced pair representing Pahang, Ahmad Azfaruddin Lukman-Imam Sujadi Satta also maintained their position as leaders when they topped the men’s K2 category with a time of 1:43:49.23s.

The second podium belongs to Pahang’s representative, David Bong Xia Shing-Aderian Adek who recorded a time of 1:44:30.15s while Terengganu rower Muhammad Adhwa-Danish Lukman was in third place with a record of 1:45:45.27s.

The pair of siblings from Terengganu, Norazita-Nursaibah Syahida Ibrahim continued to prove their strength when they captured the women’s K2 category chart when they emerged as champions with a time of 1:31:28.12s.

“We will try to maintain our position as the leader in the remaining three stages. So what is most important, we have to remain with high stamina because the challenges of each stage are different,” said Norazita.

The sibling duo representing Outdoor Addict, Dayang Nur Sakinah-Dayang Nur Hanisah Awang Ali took second place when they recorded 1:36:09.33s while Siti Normah Abdul Rahman/Mustika Ayuni Mustofa came in third with a record of 1:39:06.15s.

For the men’s inter-varsity category, the champion status belongs to Tuan Muhamad Hidzam Tuan Dolah-Mohd Azman Ibrahim (UNISZA); runner-up Muhammad Farhan Haqimi Abdul Latiff-Mohamad Faiz Rosdin (UTHM) and third place winner Mohamad Izzat-Muhammad Hafizi (UNISZA).

For the women’s inter-varsity category, UTHM representative Alya Athirah Shaharaziz-Nur Aleya Nafisha Norhanafi emerged as the champion followed by Nur Amira Syafiqah Rosli-Ain Syuhadah Zulkifli (UTHM) and Yusriyah Athirah Yusof-Nor Natasha Mohd Yusuf (Outdoor Edit UPSI).

The POPIC 2022 highlight for the international category once again saw former world champions Dawid Mocke and Danielle McKenzie defend their position as leaders when they won the men’s and women’s competitions respectively.

After the end of the two stages each at Pantai Hiburan, Kuala Rompin and Pantai Lagenda, three more stages of the POPIC 2022 race – the first-ever international canoe championship held in Pahang will be held in Kuantan.

Balok Beach is the location of Stage 3 on Friday followed by Stage 4 at Cherating Beach (Saturday) and Stage 5 at Teluk Cempedak Beach (Sunday).

PEKAN, 8 September – The Pahang state government intends to organize an international canoe race – the Pahang Ocean Paddle International Challenge (POPIC) which will be held for the first time this year as an annual sporting event in the state.

State Tourism, Culture, Environment, Plantation and Commodity Exco, Datuk Seri Mohd Sharkar Shamsudin (pic) said that the organization of the world-class championship can indirectly boost sports tourism activities in Pahang.

“God willing, if we receive positive feedback from this year’s POPIC, we will make this international canoe race an annual event as the new signature of the state of Pahang.

“We have 240 kilometers of beaches in Pahang. So we want to introduce our beaches such as Pantai Hiburan in Rompin, Pantai Legenda in Pekan in addition to Pantai Balok, Pantai Cherating and Pantai Teluk Cempedak in Kuantan to the local community and foreign tourists.

“That is why we chose the attractive and clean beaches for them to come to the state of Pahang in addition to catch a sight of this international canoe race, thus being able to promote Pahang to the world,” he said in a press conference at Pantai Lagenda on Thursday.

Before that, Mohd Sharkar representing the Chief Minister of Pahang, Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail officiated the POPIC 2022 and presented medals to the winners of Stage 2 of the tournament which attracted the participation of approximately 240 participants from home and abroad.

“The state government is proud to be able to organize this international canoe race for the first time, which I understand has foreign participants from several countries such as South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, the United States, Canada, Taiwan, Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia.

“In fact, with the presence of visitors including from abroad, we are expected to be able to generate income of RM3 million to RM4 million for organizing this race. It is a good thing even though this race is only held for the first time in Pahang.

“We have to take a bold step by making the canoe industry (sports organization) a signature in Pahang. Once established, this tournament can be well known like (the world’s premier cycling race) Tour de France one day,” he explained.

POPIC 2022 which offers a total prize money of RM300,000 competes in seven categories – men’s and women’s international SS; men’s TK1 national: men’s and women’s TK2 national and men’s and women’s inter varsity.

Stage 1 was held at Pantai Hiburan followed by Stage 2 at Pantai Legenda; Stage 3 at Pantai Balok, Kuantan; Stage 4 at Pantai Cherating, Kuantan and Stage 5 at Pantai Teluk Cempedak, Kuantan.

PEKAN, 8 September – Two world champions Dawid Mocke and Danielle McKenzie strengthened their position as leaders in the Pahang Ocean Paddle International Challenge (POPIC) 2022 canoe race after each won the Stage 2 of the Open International Single Ocean Race category at Pantai Legenda here today.

National rower Aimi Ayumi Azwan also proved her prowess to still competing fiercely in the fight to win at least second place overall.

Four-time world champion, Mocke finished the race in the men’s main category with a time of one hour 13:39.99 seconds but saw the rise of MacKenzie Hynard as the former under-23 world runner-up provided fierce competition from start to finish .

Hynard, 25, who yesterday finished third behind Jenkinson Kent, finished the 14 kilometer race in second place with a time of 1’13:42.18s while his rival from New Zealand trailed behind with a time of 1’14:09.57s.

With only a slight advantage owned by Mocke, 48, water sports fans can expect fierce competition in the final three races which will take place at Pantai Balok, Pantai Cherating and Pantai Teluk Cempedak in Kuantan later.

However, Mocke has collected RM6,000 after winning two stages of the race in a row in addition to approaching the lucrative prize of RM15,000 that awaits the overall winner of the five stages race.

“MacKenzie and Kent really gave me strong competition today. But I got an advantage at the end of the race when the wave from behind helped me run faster to the finish line,” he said.

Meanwhile 2019 world champion McKenzie lived up to expectation for the women’s category after winning the second stage race with a time of 1’19:27.00s.

The champion from New Zealand once again left rower from Thailand Irin Negree who recorded a time of 1’36:30.68s while Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) student Aimi Ayuni followed closely behind in third place with a time of 1’37:34.01s.

Commenting on her current position as overall leader after two races, McKenzie said she would continue to maintain her momentum.

“I am a racer, there is no fun attitude in me. I will keep trying because every day there are new things we can learn,” she said.

Aimi Ayuni, fresh from her victory in the recent Higher Education Institution Games (SukIPT) in Tanjung Malim, Perak who is now about two minutes behind Negree, determined to steal second place overall from the Thai competitor.

“My pace at the beginning of the race is a little bit slow, so it was already too late to catch up. Then, at the end of the race I fell. Tomorrow, God willing, I will try to leave Negree from the beginning.

“Today’s situation is easier because the water is calmer than yesterday’s strong waves. I’m not familiar with waves because I’m still new to this event,” said the athlete from Kuala Lumpur who represented Pahang.

POPIC 2022, which is being organized for the first time in this country, will take place as many as five stages of which Pantai Hiburan will be the location of the first stage.

The third stage will take place at Pantai Balok tomorrow, while Pantai Cherating will be the location for the fourth stage before the final stage in Pantai Teluk Cempedak, Kuantan.

A total of 39 rowers participated in the men’s event and 11 competed in the women’s event for the main category.

This race, which offers a total prize of approximately RM300,000, is presented by StageMaker Sdn. Bhd. as an organizer in collaboration with the Pahang state government, Tourism Pahang and Tourism Malaysia.

ROMPIN, September 7 – Dawid Mocke proved why he is a four-time world champion and a force to be reckoned with when he won the first stage of the main category in the Pahang Ocean Paddle International Challenge (POPIC) 2022 here today.

Competing in the Open International Single Ocean Race category, which offers a cash prize of RM15,000 for the overall champion, the South African champion finished the 14 kilometer race at Pantai Hiburan here with a time of 1 hour 00:18.29.

Malaysian star, Aimi Ayumi Azwan created a surprise in this main event when she finished third in the women’s category.

The Stage 1 race today went on smooth in fine a weather, with a little overcast and occasional light rain. The calm sea conditions also helped the racers to row fast, especially Mocke who recorded a speed of five kilometers per hour.

However, Mocke had to be careful of the competitors behind him as he was only about a second ahead of second place winner Jenkinson Kent of Australia who recorded a time of 1’00:19.67s followed by fellow countryman and former under-23 world runner-up, MacKenzie Hynard who crossed the finishing line with a time of 1’01:37.18s.

“I would like to congratulate all the participants who showed seriousness in the race which is still new to them.

“There is always an Aussie who is a strong challenger in the race and all I can say is that I will try to hold the leading position for as long as possible,” he said in a press conference after the race.

Kent, 25, admitted to being surprised by his achievement today.

“I have to admit I was a bit surprised. I didn’t expect to be in second place because I expected to finish the race in fifth or sixth place, so of course this will give me motivation,” he said.

Meanwhile, the 2019 world champion, Danielle MacKenzie lived up to expectations when she dominated the women’s category after finishing the race with a time of 1’06:40.02s.

The New Zealand champion, whose averaged speed of 4.5 kilometers per hour, crossed the finish line 13 minutes ahead of second place winner Irin Neegree of Thailand who completed the race in 1’19:10.58s with Aimi Ayuni a close third with a time of 1’19:24.51s.

“This is how we raced in Australia and New Zealand, fast from the start and keeping the pace. Today’s challenge is the presence of wind from the front but overall I am happy for today,” she said.

He also gave some guidance to Aimi Ayuni to help her progress in sea canoeing.

“Don’t worry about the time gap, just keep working (training to be faster). We have started from small while here this sport is still very new. He still has a lot of time to improve herself,” she said.

Aimi Ayuni said that she did not expect to create a success that was seen as something encouraging for the country’s participants today.

“This is the first time I participate in a race like this so I don’t set any targets. I just rowed without thinking about anything but when I saw that I was close to Irin I became more and more excited.

“I think my advantage today is because I didn’t stop to drink. For tomorrow’s race, I will try to distance myself from Irin early so that she can’t duck or steal waves from me,” she said.

POPIC 2022, which is being organized for the first time in this country, will take place as many as five stages of which Pantai Hiburan Rompin is the location of the Stage 1 race.

Stage 2 will take place at Pantai Legenda, Pekan tomorrow while the last three stages are located in Kuantan involving Pantai Balok, Pantai Cherating and ending at Pantai Teluk Cempedak.

A total of 39 paddlers participated in the men’s event and 11 competed in the women’s event for the main category.

This race, which offers a total prize of approximately RM300,000, is presented by StageMaker Sdn. Bhd. as an organizer in collaboration with the Pahang state government, Tourism Pahang and Tourism Malaysia.

PETALING JAYA, 6 Sept – Pemenang pingat perak Sukan Olimpik Tokyo, Datuk Mohd Azizulhasni Awang dinobatkan sebagai Atlet Terbaik Persatuan
Penulis-Penulis Sukan Malaysia (SAM) pada majlis Anugerah 100Plus Perpaduan SAM 2020/2021.

Jaguh berbasikal trek berusia 34 tahun itu menewaskan lima calon lain iaitu Lee Zii Jia (badminton), gandingan Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik (badminton), Datuk Pandelela Rinong Pamg (terjun) dan Rifdean Masdor (Muay Thai).

Anugerah berkenaan merupakan yang keempat bagi jaguh keirin kelahiran Dungun, Terengganu itu selepas memenangi anugerah yang sama pada 2009, 2017 dan 2019.

Selain pingat perak Sukan Olimpik Tokyo, Mohd Azizulhasni turut mencipta kejayaan meraih dua pingat gangsa pada Kejohanan Dunia di Berlin 2020, masingmasing dalam acara keirin dan pecut.

Bagaimanapun, Mohd Azizulhasni tidak dapat hadir pada majlis berkenaan kerana
masih dalam proses pemulihan selepas menjalani pembedahan jantung susulan
disahkan mengalami masalah jantung dikenali sebagai arteri koronari kanan yang
menyalur dari aorta di posisi janggal/ganjil (AAORCA) di Hospital Epworth Richmond,Melbourne pada 21 April lepas.

Sementara itu, Bonnie Bunyau Gustin menepati ramalan memburu gelaran berganda  apabila sekali lagi muncul Atlet Para Terbaik pada majlis yang diadakan di sebuah hotel terkemuka hari ini.

Atlet powerlifting negara itu mencipta pelbagai kejayaan cemerlang sepanjang tahun 2020 dan 2021 dengan mencipta sensasi tersendiri apabila menyumbang pingat emas pertama kontinjen negara di temasya Sukan Paralimpik Tokyo dalam kategori 72 kilogram, dan turut memecahkan rekod Paralimpik dipegang Rasool Mohsin dari Iraq pada Rio 2016 iaitu 227kg, dengan melakukan angkatan 228kg dalam percubaan ketiganya.

‘Badang kerdil negara’ itu terus mengukir nama Malaysia di mata dunia dengan menampilkan prestasi luar biasa apabila memecahkan rekod dunia pada kejohanan
Piala Dunia Powerlifting Fazza Dubai Ke-11 di Emiriah Arab Bersatu (UAE) sekali gus
merangkul pingat emas acara berkenaan.

Kejayaan Bonnie Bunyau melakukan angkatan bebanan seberat 230 kilogram (kg)
dalam kategori lelaki atas 72 kg itu telah memadamkan rekod dipegang atlet Iran
Roohallah Rostami yang melakukan angkatan seberat 229 kg di Sukan Para Asia Jakarta, Indonesia pada 2018.

Kemunculan Bonnie Bunyau di pentas pertandingan tidak pernah mengecewakan
apabila meraih pingat emas di Piala Dunia Powerlifting Para di Bangkok selain turut
menjuarai Kejohanan Powerlifting Para Dunia 2021 di Tbilisi, Georgia.

Kedua-dua mereka masing-masing menerima trofi dan wang tunai berjumlah
RM10,000 yang disampaikan oleh Menteri Perpaduan Negara, Datuk Halimah
Mohamed Sadique.

Turut hadir, Timbalan Menteri Belia dan Sukan (KBS) Datuk Seri Ti Lian Ker serta
Pengarah Perhubungan Kerajaan Industri dan Hal Ehwal Halal F&N Holding Berhad,
Datuk Raffiq MD Ariff.

Selain Anugerah Atlet Terbaik, SAM juga tidak lupa menghargai jasa dan sumbangan tidak terhingga yang diberikan oleh dua tokoh hebat dalam bidang sukan menerusi Anugerah Khas kepada mendiang Datuk Sieh Kok Chi dan Allahyarham Datuk Zolkples Embong.

Pemergian mendiang Datuk Sieh Kok Chi yang terkenal dengan julukan ‘Wikipedia’
sukan Malaysia dan Allahyarham Datuk Seri Zolkples Embong pastinya meninggalkan ruang besar dalam arena sukan negara dan jasa dan sumbangan kedua-dua tokoh sukan negara ini tidak terhingga buat keluarga kewartawanan sukan.

SENARAI PEMENANG ANUGERAH 100PLUS PERPADUAN SAM 2020/2021
1. LAPORAN BERITA TERBAIK (MEDIA CETAK)
Pemenang : Mohamad Zulfaizan bin Mansor
Agensi : BERITA HARIAN
Tajuk : POTONG GAJI

2. LAPORAN BERITA TERBAIK (MEDIA ELEKTRONIK)
Pemenang : Al Shaiful Nazib bin Talib & Zamri bin Zainon
Agensi : TV3
Tajuk : PSIKOLOGI SUKAN

3. ULASAN BERITA TERBAIK (MEDIA CETAK)
Pemenang : Mohd Firdaus bin Mohd Hashim
Agensi : HARIAN METRO
Tajuk : AMD SUDAH ADA PENAJA

4. ULASAN SUKAN TERBAIK (MEDIA ELEKTRONIK)
Pemenang : Mohd Fauzi bin Mohd Marzauki & Abdul Halim bin Mohd Yusoff
Agensi : RTM
Tajuk : SEMANGAT KERAMAT SURESH

5. LAPORAN KHAS SUKAN TERBAIK (TERBUKA)
Pemenang : Ahmed Shahrazad bin Abdullah Sani & Mohd Irsyahdi bin Tumian
Agensi : ASTRO ARENA
Tajuk : TIUPAN ANGIN AHMAR

6. FOTOGRAFI SUKAN TERBAIK
Pemenang : Ahmad Izzrafiq Bin Alias
Agensi : THE STAR

SENARAI PEMENANG 2021
1. LAPORAN BERITA TERBAIK (MEDIA CETAK)
Pemenang: Amiril Muttaqien Bin Meketar
Agensi : BERNAMA
Tajuk : SAYA HARAP EMAK LIHAT KEJAYAAN SAYA

2. LAPORAN BERITA TERBAIK (MEDIA ELEKTRONIK)
Pemenang: Mohd Zulhelmi Bin Zainal Azam & Mohammad Hurzaid Bin Mohd Rosli
Agensi : ASTRO ARENA
Tajuk : INSIDEN TEROWONG

3. ULASAN BERITA TERBAIK (MEDIA CETAK)
Pemenang : Lim Teik Huat
Agensi : THE STAR
Tajuk : POOR DECISIONS CAN LEAD DIVING

4. ULASAN SUKAN TERBAIK (MEDIA ELEKTRONIK)
Pemenang : Muhammad Karl Iskandar Nunis Bin Muhammad Khairy Nunis & Mohd Nizam Baharuddin
Agensi : ASTRO ARENA
Tajuk : MAGIS KINESIO

5. LAPORAN KHAS SUKAN TERBAIK (TERBUKA)
Pemenang : Shah Putra Taib Ahmad Bin Taib
Agensi : RTM
Tajuk : SUKAN NEGARA DI MATA DUNIA

6. FOTOGRAFI SUKAN TERBAIK
Pemenang : Mohd Khairol Rizal bin Buhari
Agensi : CSN

ANUGERAH PERPADUAN
1. LAPORAN PERPADUAN TERBAIK (TERBUKA)
Pemenang : Sayed Ismail Bin Mohd Marzauki & Abdul Rahman Khusaini
Agensi : TV3
Tajuk : DEMI MALAYSIA AZIMAT YANG MERESAPI JIWA ATLET

2. FOTOGRAFI PERPADUAN TERBAIK
Pemenang : Luqmanul Arif bin Abdul Karim
Agensi : CSN

ATLET TERBAIK
Pemenang : Datuk Mohd Azizulhasni bin Awang
Sukan : Berbasikal Trek

ATLET PARA TERBAIK
Pemenang : Bonnie Bunyau Gustin
Sukan : Powerlifting

ANUGERAH KHAS
1. Penerima : Mendiang Datuk Sieh Kok Chi
2. Penerima : Allahyarham Datuk Seri Zolkples Embong

ROMPIN, Sept 6 – Pahang Beach will be shocked by five former world champions when the Pahang Ocean Paddle International Challenge (POPIC) 2022 begins at Pantai Hiburan here tomorrow.

The unique race that will be organized for the first time has successfully attracted the attention of canoe champions from South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the United States, Iran, Chinese-Taipei, Thailand, Indonesia and among the heavy weight who will test the waves of Pahang are the two-time world champion, Rob Jenkinson and his wife Julie Jenkinson who is a four-time world champion.

The Australian couple will certainly receive a great challenge in the competition for the title of champion as they will be competing with  compatriot MacKenzie Hynard, 28, who is the former runner-up in the under-23 world and Daniele MacKenzie from New Zealand who emerged as the 2019 world champion in France.

Hynard, who nickname as ‘Big Wave Macca’ expects tough competition for all the paddlers tomorrow when he sees the heavyweight that will be competing.

“I am very excited to compete in the race in Malaysia. I will try my best. Most of the races I participated before are one-day races, but the race here will be over five days, so there’s a big difference. I hope my body can survive the challenge here,” he said when met after the athlete introduction ceremony today.

Present at the ceremony was organizing committee chairman, Emir Abdul Jalal (pic below).

POPIC 2022 will last for five days or as many as five stages, will end at Teluk Chempedak, Kuantan on September 11.

The 2019 women’s world champion MacKenzie said she did not set big targets for this race but has set her her sight to gain experience competing in a new environment.

“Winning will be great, however the most important thing is to participate and gain the experience of competing in Malaysia.

“We in New Zealand are familiar with the sea. We train three to four hours a day, six days a week. Of course I can’t wait to compete especially after not being able to race due to the Covid 19 pandemic,” she said.

Meanwhile, the four-time (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012) world champion Dawid Mocke from South Africa reminded that this race in Pahang has its own challenges for all paddlers.

He said, in addition to having to face big shot, each participant also faces nature challenges. “It must be remembered that we are not only competing with other paddlers but also competing with the elements of nature. We face the challenge of waves, wind and of course hot weather.

“You also need to be fit and good at organizing strategies to save energy because this race lasts for five days,” he said.

KUALA LUMPUR, 3 Sept – Jasa serta pengorbanan dua tokoh hebat dalam pentadbiran sukan di Malaysia sentiasa dikenang oleh segenap lapisan masyarakat terutama dalam kalangan komuniti sukan negara.

Bagi menghargai sumbangan dan jasa mendiang Datuk Sieh Kok Chi dan Allahyarham Datuk Seri Zolkples Embong dalam pembangunan sukan, Persatuan Penulis-penulis Sukan Malaysia (SAM) memilih kedua-dua tokoh sukan yang tidak asing lagi dalam tinta sukan negara sebagai penerima Anugerah Khas pada majlis Anugerah 100PLUS Perpaduan SAM 2020/2021.

Anugerah Khas berkenaan akan disampaikan pada majlis gilang gemilang yang akan diadakan pada 6 September ini di sebuah hotel terkemuka di Petaling Jaya .

Menteri Perpaduan Datuk Halimah Sadique dan Timbalan Menteri Belia dan Sukan, Datuk Seri Ti Lian Ker dijadualkan menghadiri Majlis Anugerah 100PLUS Perpaduan SAM 2020/2021.

“Pemergian mendiang Datuk Sieh Kok Chi dan Allahyarham Datuk Seri Zolkples Embong pastinya meninggalkan ruang besar dalam arena sukan negara dan jasa dan sumbangan kedua-dua tokoh sukan negara ini amat besar kepada arena sukan negara,” kata Presiden SAM Norismadi Abdul Manap.

Jasa mendiang Datuk Sieh Kok Chi dalam pembangunan sukan negara amat besar dan bukan calang-calang sehingga ketika hayatnya, Datuk Sieh Kok Chi terkenal dengan julukan ‘Wikipedia’ sukan Malaysia terutama dalam kalangan warga media sukan tanah air.

Sebagai orang lama, pengalaman, kepimpinan dan kebetahannya terhadap persekitaran sukan negara menjadikan tiada apa yang terlepas daripada pengamatannya. Nasihat, kata-kata semangat dan menjadi tempat rujukan adalah sumbangan yang telah dilakukan mendiang Datuk Sieh Kok Chi kepada Persatuan Penulis-penulis Sukan Malaysia (SAM) di sepanjang tempoh perkhidmatannya.

Bermula dengan jawatan Setiausaha Kesatuan Renang Selangor dari 1971, mendiang menimba pengalaman secukupnya sebelum melangkah ke medan lebih mencabar sebagai pemimpin besar dalam persatuan sukan peringkat kebangsaan.

Daripada memenangi jawatan Setiausaha Kehormat Renang Amatur Malaysia pada 1975 hingga 1982, mendiang Datuk Sieh Kok Chi Kok Chi yang dilahirkan pada 8 November 1938 menghabiskan 10 tahun dengan berkhidmat secara sukarela di Majlis Olimpik Malaysia (MOM) sejak 1974 apabila pernah terlibat dalam pelbagai jawatankuasa dan pasukan petugas bandan induk itu sebelum mengambil alih kerusi Setiausaha Kehormat MOM pada 1992 hingga 2015.

Datuk Sieh Kok Chi juga memainkan peranan dalam Dana Pendidikan Atlet Tan Sri Alex Lee, Dana Amanah MOM, dana kategori B, dasar pembayaran balik untuk penyertaan dalam permainan pelbagai sukan dan banyak lagi.

Datuk Sieh Kok Chi meninggal dunia pada usia 83 tahun pada 16 Julai 2022. Sesungguhnya jasa dan pengorbanan mendiang Datuk Sieh Kok Chi sentiasa terpahat dalam sejarah sukan negara dan juga meninggalkan kenangan manis buat warga media sukan Malaysia.

“Bagi kami warga media, banyak kenangan dicipta apatah lagi mendiang Datuk Sieh Kok Chi terkenal dengan gelaran ‘Wikipedia’ sukan sebab apa-apa saja yang ditanyakan, pasti ada jawapan,” kata Norismadi.

Kalau melihat kepada raut wajah, tiada siapa menyangka bahawa Allahyarham Datuk Seri Zolkples Embong adalah seorang pentadbir sukan yang periang dan mudah didekati namun pada masa sama seorang yang tegas dan sangat berpegang kepada prinsip.

Datuk Zolkples terkenal dengan sikapnya yang lantang dalam melontarkan kritikan, tidak berselindung dalam menyuarakan pendapat dan petah ketika mempertahankan sesuatu dasar. Terlalu banyak pembabitan Allahyarham dalam sukan tanah air.

Allahyarham Datuk Zolkples yang dilahirkan pada 29 Februari 1959 menjawat jawatan sebagai Ketua Pengarah Majlis Sukan Negara (MSN) selama tujuh tahun sejak April 2007 hingga Disember 2014.

Allahyarham kemudian dilantik sebagai ketua pegawai eksekutif Jawatankuasa Penganjur Sukan SEA Malaysia (MASOC) pada 2017.

Pengalaman sebagai pentadbir persatuan sukan juga tidak dapat dinafikan lagi. Allahyarham pernah menggalas jawatan Setiausaha Kehormat BAM dari 2000 hingga 2002, ahli jawatankuasa Persatuan Bola Sepak Malaysia (FAM) pada 2006 hingga 2014 di samping pelbagai peranan dalam sukan hoki dan golf.

Allahyarham Datuk Zolkples juga adalah individu yang sentiasa menyokong dan memberi bantuan ke atas program anjuran SAM.

Datuk Zolkples meninggal dunia pada usia 62 tahun tanggal 3 Oktober 2021 dipercayai kerana serangan jantung.

“Allahyarham Datuk Zolkples tidak pernah menolak atau mengelak daripada media. Walaupun sudah meninggalkan institusi pentadbiran sukan, namun Allahyarham sentiasa menjadi rujukan media dalam mendapatkan komen, kritikan dan juga pendapat berkaitan isu sukan negara,” jelas Norismadi.

Selain Anugerah Khas, dua lagi kategori; Anugerah Atlet Terbaik dan Atlet Para Terbaik 2020/2021 dijangka menjadi tumpuan bagi melihat siapakah atlet negara yang bakal menaiki pentas untuk bergelar pemenang.

Selain memberi pengiktirafan kepada atlet, Anugerah Perpaduan-100Plus-SAM 2020/2021 turut memberikan pengiktirafan kepada wakil-wakil media tempatan.

Sebanyak lapan kategori dipertandingankan iaitu Laporan Berita Terbaik (Media Cetak), Laporan Berita Terbaik (Media Elektronik), Ulasan Berita Terbaik (Media Cetak), Ulasan Berita Terbaik (Media Elektronik), Laporan Khas Terbaik (Terbuka), Fotografi Sukan Terbaik, Laporan Perpaduan Terbaik dan Fotografi Perpaduan Terbaik.

Pemenang keseluruhan untuk kategori kewartawanan sukan akan dinobatkan sebagai penerima trofi Anugerah Siebel dan hadiah wang tunai RM7,000.