BETONG: Perak's Qistina Qharisya Suffia Mohd Muzani stole the show in weightlifting after breaking three national records en route to winning the women's under-45 kilogramme class gold medal at the Sarawak Malaysia Games (Sukma) today.
Qistina, who was making her second Sukma appearance, cleared 65kg in the snatch and 79kg in the clean and jerk to win gold on a 144kg total at the Tan Sri Datuk Amar Stephen Kalong Ningkan Sports Hall.
Her scores erased the former national records set by Nurul Afiqah Zamzuri during the 2019 Manila Sea Games of 59kg (snatch), 77kg (clean and jerk) and 136kg (total).
Qistina, 19, said winning the gold has further fuelled her motivation to go far in the sport.
"I realise that to be a successful athlete you have to sacrifice a lot and be away from your family for long periods," said Qistina.
"But that will not stop me from chasing my goals. I want to achieve more at the international level."
Sabah's Irene Jane Henry claimed the silver (137kg) while Sarawak's Katierina Bojing took bronze (108kg).
Meanwhile, the men's under-55kg class saw Perlis' Azri Irfan Azhar hold his nerve to clinch gold (230kg). Rahimi Sulaiman of Pahang settled for silver, just a kilogramme down while Federal Territories Ahmad Darwish Zharfan Ahmad Tharmidzi took bronze (211kg).
The men's under-61kg class saw Kedah's Amin Hakimi Mohd Shukry clear 234kg for gold while Terengganu's Muslim Mohd Anwar took silver (229kg). Sabah's Mark Dylan Marcus (216kg) completed the podium.
The Sukma weightlifting competition, which began today, offers 16 gold medals in total.