Brunei Darussalam athletes asserted their dominance at the Deka Mile Sarawak 2023 after amassing a haul of seven gold medals, three silver and two bronze at the Naim Bintulu Paragon Street Mall in Bintulu, Malaysia yesterday.
The Sultanate enjoyed a clean sweep in multiple age groups with a series of podium finishers including gold medallists in the majority of female categories.
The Sarawak meet marks the country’s most successful outing since the renowned Deka made its Southeast Asian debut in Kuching last year.
The Brunei delegation’s five female gold medallists were Sin Yi Lim in the female 30-34 years age group; Nisah Yasop in the 35-39 years age group; Feby Latip in the 40-44 years age group; Jessamine Yee in the 45-49 years age group; and Hajah Sophinawati binti Haji Suhaili in the 50-54 years age group.
The gold rush continued with Wajdi Manaf in the male 30-34 years age group and Zulkernean bin Haji Tohara triumphing in the male 50-54 years age group.
Wajdi also secured second place overall out of 120 entrants clocking an impressive time of 27:30, making him the highest-placed Bruneian competitor.
Joining him in the top 10 of the overall classification were Feby who finished sixth; Jessamine in seventh; Sin Yi in ninth; and Nisah in 10th.
Meanwhile, Fakhrul Sufi clinched silver in the male 25-29 years age group, with Wei Yeah On emulating the same feat in the 40-44 years age group and Chung Sing Ling in the female 30-34 years age group.
Brunei pair Adibah Syazwani Haji Hariah Mohamed and Emma Hamid snatched bronze in the Female 25-29 years age group and 30-34 years age group.
During the competition, each athlete is required to perform a workout or routine dedicated in 10 zones preceded by a 160-metre run. – Fadhil Yunus