KUCHING: Sarawak's Ng Jing Xuan achieved her mission of winning the women's javelin gold and breaking the games record at the Sarawak Malaysia Games (Sukma) today (Aug 21).
Xing Xuan, 20, was in a class of her own as she cleared a distance of 45.12 metres to surpass the long-standing games record of 44.98m set by fellow Sarawakian Ho Sin Hui during the 2008 edition in Terengganu.
It was more than enough to see her defend the gold medal she won at the 2022 Kuala Lumpur Sukma.
Silver went to Terengganu's Noor Aliya Alias (39.11m) while Maryjane Juberin from Sabah took bronze (39.01m).
Jing Xuan, who idolises world record holder Barbora Spotakova, was all smiles after her win.
"I'm happy to contribute a gold medal for Sarawak," she said.
"As I said after winning gold at Kuala Lumpur Sukma two years ago, my main mission at this tournament was to break the record.
"I am satisfied that I have achieved the mission."
Jing Xuan will compete in the shot put tomorrow but is not setting any lofty targets for herself in the event.
"This (shot put) is not my main event. I just want to enjoy the competition," she added.
Meanwhile in the women's 3,000m steeplechase event, Esther Joy of Selangor claimed the gold medal with a winning time of 12 minutes 12.66s.
Sarawak's Clezendra Chanda Cevester Empari took silver (12:31.58s) while Ledia Engku of Sabah claimed bronze (12:49.72s).
In the men's 3,000m steeplechase, Fahrin Aiman of Terengganu took gold after clocking 9:48.89s, followed by Selangor's G.Mathan Raj in second place (10:02.12s) while Sarawak's Faris Khuzairie Faizal finished third (10:05.52s).
Earlier, in the women's pole vault event, Terengganu's Noor Shahreena Jamiza won gold with a jump of 3.50m, beating Dzurianis Aqisya Dzuriamin Azmi of Federal Territories, who took silver on 3.20m.
The bronze medal went to Samantha Mae Godfrey Binting from Sabah with a jump of 3.10m.