From carrying loads on Mount Kinabalu to conquering trails in Chamonix

KOTA KINABALU: After more than a year of intensive training, Mount Kinabalu porter Daved Simpat completed the demanding 174km Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc (UTMB) in Chamonix, France. The 44-year-old's 28-hour, 53-minute, and four-second journey carried not only a personal triumph but also a powerful message about the power of perseverance, discipline, and strength.

Raised in Kampung Himbaan in Ranau, Daved has spent nearly 18 years working as a porter on Mount Kinabalu, a mountain he considers his home. The experience taught him valuable lessons that he applied to his new sport, ultra-trail running. Standing at 4,095 metres above sea level, Mount Kinabalu has been a key part of Daved's life and career.

Carrying heavy loads taught him to keep moving despite exhaustion, manage his energy, and push through when his body felt heavy. These principles translated seamlessly to ultra-trail running, where knowing when to run and when to walk, conserving energy, and refusing to give up are crucial. As the first of seven Malaysians to finish the race after 29 hours, Daved's achievement goes beyond a personal accolade.

He hopes his success will inspire fellow Kinabalu porters and young Sabahans to believe in their potential, regardless of their background. Daved takes pride in his roots as a porter and believes that a Porter from a mountain in Sabah can stand on one of the biggest ultra-trail stages in the world. Celebrating Malaysia's independence day, Daved expressed his pride in carrying Sabah and Malaysia's names onto the international stage.

He encourages young Sabahans to dream big, believing that their circumstances should not limit their potential. Daved's journey from carrying loads on Mount Kinabalu to conquering one of the world's toughest ultra-trail races is a testament to the power of hard work, self-belief, and perseverance.