TAWAU: Papar dominated the boxing event at the 11th Sabah Games (Saga XI) 2025, after winning three gold medals at the SMK Pasir Putih Boxing Hall.
The competition, held from Oct 11 to 17, featured 17 teams competing across 11 weight categories ranging from 48 to 92 kilogrammes.
Tuaran placed second with two golds, one silver and one bronze, while Tongod finished third with two gold and two silver medals.
In the 48kg category, Papar’s Cyprian Nick Victor Mojimbun showcased his skill by defeating Kota Kinabalu’s Leon Russel Wilson to claim gold.
The 51kg category saw Tuaran’s Danish Danial Mohd Sharul overcome Kota Kinabalu’s Haikal Iskandar to add another gold for his district.
A surprise came in the 60kg category when Telupid’s Clif Mijol edged out Tongod’s Lee Xiong Kiet in a close bout to secure his team’s first gold. Clif was also named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player (MVP).
Tambunan’s Jonathan Jhon took charge in the 71kg category, beating Tuaran’s Clement Yong Fook Loi, while Tongod’s Zulfikly Hakim finished strong with victory in the 92kg category.
Tongod was also recognised as the Best Coaching Team for its strong strategy and discipline throughout the tournament. Overall, the tournament reflected high sportsmanship and evenly matched contests among district athletes.
In badminton, Pitas athlete Muhammad Nur Azhar Zunaide clinched double gold after winning both the men’s singles and doubles events.
In the singles category, Azhar successfully defended his title by defeating Papar’s Joshua Aegidius 21-16, 21-15, while Penampang’s Darrall Leonard Edmund took bronze after beating Pitas’ Hafiz Hakimi Hashim 21-11, 21-11.
In the men’s doubles, Kota Marudu’s Aguwell Andrew and Kevien Joel put up a strong fight before falling to Azhar and Hafiz 19-21, 21-15, 21-16. The Kinabatangan pair, Adryan Adam Hariz and Danial Adam Haizack, took home the bronze.
Tuaran’s Cassey Rynn Rompog secured gold in the women’s singles in her final Saga appearance after defeating Bukit Jalil Sports School student who represented Penampang, Lim Ke Xuan, 21-13, 21-14.
In mixed doubles, top seeds Lin Yao Rong and Sarah Lim Ying Sie from Sandakan bagged gold after overcoming Kota Kinabalu’s Sam Kiu Si Yuan and Melanie Ng Jia Ying 21-17, 18-21, 21-14.
Sandakan continued their dominance when women’s doubles pair Jola Lim Zi Yu and Sarah Lim also captured gold after defeating Kota Kinabalu’s Fong Yii Zhan and Melody Chew Shi Qing 21-18, 21-10.
Bronze medals went to Papar’s Joshua and Airina Arra Syazrena (mixed doubles), Sandakan’s Jola Lim (women’s singles) and Penampang’s Chua Jing Xuan and Lim Ke Xuan (women’s doubles).
Azhar and Sarah Lim were also named the most valuable players in the men’s and women’s categories respectively.
Meanwhile, Sandakan emerged as the overall champions in the athletics events after bagging nine gold and two bronze medals, along with two new record-breaking performances.
Sandakan’s Pengiran Aidil Auf Hajam @ Pg Roslie, set the track alight after clinching gold in the men’s 200m event, setting a new record time of 21.49 seconds, eclipsing the previous mark of 21.97 seconds.
He later teamed up with Dexter Palmin, Mukhriz Ameer Izzuddin Abdul Rauf and Muhammad Fareez Adam Mohammad to set another record in the men’s 4x400m relay with a time of 3:22.86 seconds, securing yet another gold for Sandakan.
Sandakan’s dominance continued when Siti Norjahera Beliamor sprinted to victory in the women’s 200m, while the women’s 4x400m relay team, represented by Shermia Miasin, Nur Aziqah Sapri, Marshandah Nurmaizanah Mohd Masri, and Siti Norjahera, added another gold to their tally.
Tambunan finished second overall with four golds, four silvers and one bronze, followed by Putatan in third place with three gold, two silver and five bronze medals.
Tambunan’s Febian Vitus also made headlines after breaking the javelin record with a distance of 54.59 metres, to secure gold. Kota Kinabalu’s Mery Ann Paul John Jomitin won the ‘shot put’ event, while Kudat’s Abby Allysca Lausin claimed gold in the ‘triple jump’.
In the 3,000m steeplechase, Asamlie Datu Johny from Kinabatangan, took the gold medal.
Meanwhile, the Best Female Athlete title went to Nur Syifa Raisya Adnan Firdaus, from Kota Belud, while Dexter Palmin from Sandakan, was named Best Male Athlete for his outstanding contributions on the track.
In pencak silat, Paitan district dominated taking home five gold medals and the Most Valuable Male Athlete (Putra) award.
As a newly participating district, Paitan demonstrated remarkable fighting spirit by winning gold medals in the Tanding events under the Men’s Below 45kg, Men’s Class B, Men’s Class D, Women’s Class C, and Women’s Class E categories.
The spotlight was on Muhamad Radzfadhlur Rahman, who not only clinched gold in the Men’s Class B category but was also named the Most Valuable Male Athlete (Putra). Meanwhile, Nursyafiqah Aiya Tarul Syharin from Putatan was honoured as the Most Valuable Female Athlete (Puteri).
In the Men’s Class D category, Mohd Syahrizan Zain added to Paitan’s gold tally after defeating Sook’s silat exponent, Jae Shanlee Aaron, who had to settle for silver, while the bronze medals went to participants from Beaufort and Kunak.
Paitan’s women’s team also contributed two gold medals — Nur Ilyana Natasyah Abdullah emerged champion in the Women’s Class C category after defeating Keningau’s Syaidatun Farhanna Pinalus, while in the Women’s Class E category, Nora Syafika Yanie delivered a strong performance to overcome Ranau’s Nurfittri Asyilah Julah.
Meanwhile, Lahad Datu secured three gold medals in the Women’s Below 45kg, Women’s Class D, and Men’s Class G categories, while Papar and Sipitang each claimed two gold medals.
Out of the 18 gold medals offered in the Tanding events, Nabawan, Tuaran, Kota Marudu, Sandakan, Putatan and Keningau each managed to secure one gold medal.
In taekwondo, Kota Kinabalu emerged overall champions in the event introduced for the first time in the history of Saga, topping the standings with four gold, one silver and three bronze medals.
Tuaran finished second with three golds, one silver and one bronze, while Lahad Datu placed third with two golds and one silver.
On the fourth day of competition, three final categories were contested — Male Open Middle (80.1kg–87.0kg), Male Open Heavy (over 87.1kg) and Female Open Heavy (over 73.1kg).
In the Male Open Middle category, Kuala Penyu’s Nathaniell Isaac Jonethan Matheus took gold after defeating Lahad Datu’s Mohamad Kahirul Lasamarah. The bronze medals were shared by Keningau’s Muhammad Ikhmal Izzat Rozali and Kota Kinabalu’s Liam Barakat Walter Junior.
In the Male Open Heavy category, Kota Kinabalu’s Evan Donovan Nen won gold by beating Keningau’s Ronan Voo Ly Vui, while Beaufort’s Aiman Danial Mohammed Yassin and Esammynuel Charity Charles shared the bronze.
Penampang’s Nur Fadhilah Wong claimed gold in the Female Open Heavy category, followed by Putatan’s Putri Nuralisyah Jatey @ Jasmie with silver, while Sook’s Ecelina Neculis and Beaufort’s Nursafirah Jainu took bronze.
Special Most Valuable Player awards were presented to Ranau’s Mohammad Daafi Syah in the men’s category and Kota Kinabalu’s Sukie Alinskie Jimmy Palikat in the women’s category.
Kota Kinabalu also dominated the final day of the archery event by sweeping five out of eight gold medals.
Among the winners were Aloysius Gabriel Liew in the Compound Men category and Deborah Uman Weslley in the Compound Women category.
Kota Kinabalu also struck gold in the Recurve Men Team event through Aedan Chaw Zheng Zhe, Thomi Raphael Calvin and Wong Yung Han Xavier, as well as in the Recurve Women Team event represented by Carolyn Chye Hui Yin, Dylia Batrisyia Darwin and Eowyn Rich Chong Li Qi.
Aedan and Carolyn further added to the tally by winning gold in the Recurve Mixed Team category and were named the Top Male and Top Female Scorers respectively.
Meanwhile, Kunak’s Muhammad Faieq Aqief won the Recurve Men category, Kota Marudu’s Aeldrachetta Eonatta Andywelsh clinched gold in the Recurve Women category, and Sandakan’s duo, Catherine Looi Mei Qi Abdullah and Chong Yao Jet, secured gold in the Compound Mixed Team event.