KOTA KINABALU: Sabahan Eidelweiss Franzel Fancey Sami, won a gold medal in karate for Sarawak, their first-ever gold medal in the Sukma Games.
Eidelweiss, 18, from Penampang, missed out during the state's selection process after finishing with a silver medal in the kumite event during the bi-annual Sabah Games (Saga) 2023 in Kota Kinabalu.
However, neighbour Sarawak came knocking and offered her a place, but in the heavier +68kg category, which was not her usual category.
"I am very happy and grateful to Sarawak for allowing me to compete in my first-ever Sukma Games hosted by Sarawak," said Eidelweiss when met at the Kota Kinabalu International Airport.
The former SK St Francis Convent Kota Kinabalu student was given a rousing welcome by family members and friends, including fellow karatekas from the Sabah Shotokan Karate Association (SSKA) and its chief instructor Simon Chia.
"Although I wasn't Sabah's first choice, being a silver medalist at the Saga Games, Sarawak gave me the chance to compete in a different category, +68 kg.
"Adjusting my weight was a smooth process, and I'm incredibly grateful for the guidance of coach Javis Julia and the Sarawak Sports Council.
"The three months of intensive training in Miri have significantly sharpened my skills and improved my performance," said Eidelweiss, who dreams of competing in the Olympics one day.
Eidelweiss, who has been practicing karate for 10 years, dedicated the victory to her family, especially her brother Evans—one of her biggest inspirations who won a kumite gold medal at the Saga Games.
"We could have been in Sukma doing this together; unfortunately, he missed this opportunity and wasn't selected to be part of the Sabah squad despite his win," she said.
Eidelweiss, who will continue her studies at Universiti Malaysia Sabah, defeated Sabah's Chin Xueyin in the semi-final before securing victory over Mirza Amirag Syuhada Mohd Faizal from Terengganu to clinch the gold.