KUCHING: One good leap is enough for Nurkhaleesa Yasmin Awang to take her family on a holiday.
That's the case for the Johor long jumper at the Malaysia Games (Sukma) in Sarawak today.
Nurkhaleesa won the gold, and with it, an incentive reward of RM10,000 from the Johor government.
Nurkhaleesa, who hails from Kulai, leaped 5.76m for gold while Kelantan's Alia Batrisya Nasaruddin was second (5.73m). The bronze went to Selangor's Maritza Ferrer Neil Amstrong (5.61m).
Nurkhaleesa, 20, affectionately known as Kelly, said she plans to take her family on a holiday with the reward money.
That's not all. Nurkhaleesa is in line to win another RM10,000 if she triumphs in the triple jump. So, another good leap may just see her earn a total reward of RM20,000 to give her family a good holiday.
Nurkhaleesa said treating her family to a holiday would be an appreciation, especially, to her mother, Rosiah Karis and father, Awang Kamari.
She said her family has made many sacrifices and continues to support her, even when she almost gave up on the sport due to various challenges, including recurring injuries..
"I dedicate this victory to my family because they have sacrificed so much for me. I promised them I would win gold, and this is my gift to them.
"I'm also determined to win gold in the triple jump. If I win, I will get a total of RM20,000 in incentives. I want to use that money to take my family on a holiday.
"I rarely get the chance to go on holiday with my family due to my busy schedule with training and competitions," said the fifth of six siblings.
Nurkhaleesa, who will continue her studies at Universiti Putra Malaysia next month, said she hopes to compete in the Thailand Sea Games next year.