Andrew Goh, Gan Chen Jie Crowned SUKMA 2024 top Athletes

By Vikneswaran Raman

KUCHING, Aug 24  (Bernama) -- Selangor swimmer Andrew Goh and Negeri Sembilan shooter Gan Chen Jie were tonight crowned the Sportsman and Sportswoman of the 2024 Malaysia Games (SUKMA).

Andrew and Chen Jie each took home RM2,000 in cash, a trophy and a challenge cup.

The awards were presented by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, accompanied by Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, during the closing ceremony at the Unity Stadium here tonight.

Andrew, 20, secured the coveted Sportsman title after an exceptional performance that saw him winning five gold medals. 

He set two national records in the 100m breaststroke (1:01.39s) and the 50m breaststroke, where he clocked 28.03s in the heats and an even faster 27.40s in the final, breaking the SEA Games record of 27.56s held by Indonesia’s Felix Viktor Iberie from the 2023 edition in Cambodia.

Competing in his second SUKMA, Andrew also clinched gold by smashing the SUKMA record in the 200m breaststroke, and contributed to the Selangor team's victories in the men’s 4x100m medley relay and the mixed 4x100m medley relay.

His outstanding achievements edged out other prominent nominees, including Pahang shooter Cheah Zen Hong (7 golds, 1 games record), Federal Territories swimmer Muhammad Dhuha Zulfikry (6 golds, 2 silvers, 4 games records), and Johor sprinter Umar Osman (4 golds, 3 Games records).

On the women’s side, Chen Jie, whose name intriguingly resembles "Cheng Chi," meaning "bullet" in Hokkien, was crowned Sportswoman of the Year after bagging seven gold medals, two of which came with new Games records.

She shattered the Games records in the 10m air rifle individual event with an impressive score of 248.2 points, surpassing the previous mark of 243.7 points, and in the 50m rifle 3 positions with a remarkable 499 points, eclipsing the old record of 443.5 points.

Chen Jie also secured gold in the 50m rifle prone, as well as in the women’s team events for the 10m air rifle, 50m rifle prone, 50m rifle 3 positions, and the mixed 10m air rifle.

Her sharp shooting played a pivotal role in propelling Negeri Sembilan to an impressive 12 golds, three silvers, and four bronzes, finishing just behind Pahang, who took home 12 golds, five silvers and four bronzes.

Chen Jie’s dominance at the range outshone other top contenders, including host contingent swimmer Kelly Teo Yao (6 golds, 1 silver, 2 bronzes), Federal Territories gymnast Cassidy Tan Jia Xin (4 golds, 1 silver), and Selangor sprinter Nur Afrina Batrisyia Mohamad Rizal (3 golds, 1 bronze, 2 Games records).

Hosts Sarawak emerged overall champions with 76 golds, pipping FT by a solitary gold.

-- BERNAMA