Second chance, golden finish for Sarawak's Aleesya
SERDANG: Sarawak silambam exponent Nur Aleesya Zahierah Sali showed immense grit to turn silver into gold after surviving a dramatic, protest-marred double final at the Malaysia Games (Sukma) on Monday.
SERDANG: Sarawak silambam athlete Nur Aleesya Zahierah Sali turned adversity into triumph during the Malaysia Games (Sukma) on Monday. After finishing second in the women's 60kg-70kg poruthal final, Aleesya successfully defended her position, winning the gold medal after a replayed double final. Initially settling for silver, Aleesya protested the result, claiming a scoring discrepancy, and was given a rematch due to the technical officials' decision.
Despite her limited experience in the sport, Aleesya embraced the challenge, putting in significant effort to overcome the gap between her and her rivals. Her dedication to silambam was evident in the sacrifices she made, such as giving up leisure time and spending numerous hours at the gym. Aleesya's emotional speech expressed her gratitude to her family, coach, and friends for their support, while also dedicating her gold medal to them.
With Sukma glory secured, Aleesya will focus on her Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examinations before aiming to defend her title at the 2028 Sukma.
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