By Ahmad Nazrin Syahmi Mohamad Arif
KUCHING, Aug 19 (Bernama) -- The first person that came to Ku Yee Aleng’s mind after she won the women’s high jump gold medal at the 2024 Malaysia Games (SUKMA) is her late father, Ku Boon Yu.
This is despite the fact that her father, who died seven years ago, wasn’t the most ardent supporter of her athletics ambition as he wanted her to focus more on her studies.
The Sabah high jumper feels that with her latest achievement, her father would have been proud of her as not only has she excelled in sports, she is also doing well in her studies now that she has entered university.
“I am extremely sad that I don’t have a father. He died when I was in Standard Six. My father did not support my interest in sports, but (now) I feel like I can make him go ‘wow’ although he’s no longer with me.
“I wasn’t that good in studies back then and that’s why he told me to go slow on sports and focus on my academics because my UPSR (Ujian Pencapaian Sekolah Rendah) result was so-so only. So, that’s why he was against it (taking up sports),” said Ku Yee, who is studying at the Institute of Teacher Education (IPG) Gaya Campus in Sabah.
In today’s high jump final, Ku Yee clinched gold while Penang’s Melissa Choong En Xuan took silver despite both being credited with after clearing a height of 1.64 metres (m) after they both failed to clear 1.67m.
However, Ku Yee was declared the winner as she had cleared the 1.64m height at the second attempt while Melissa needed three tries.
Ku Yee, the fourth of six siblings and who has a personal best of 1.61m, admitted that she never expected to get on the podium this time.
“I am delighted with this win because this is my first SUKMA outing. I did not expect to win because Melissa is so strong, whereas I am just an athlete training in a small district in Sabah.
“I dedicate this victory to my mother (Normah Annung), my coach and everyone who has supported me till this moment,” said Ku Yee, who hails from Kunak.
The five-day athletics competition, which offers a total of 47 gold medals, began today.
-- BERNAMA
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