Kota Kinabalu: Sabah’s Surianti Umar made her mark on the global stage by clinching a bronze medal at the recent World Traditional Archery Championship (WTAF) in Ulsan, South Korea.
She defeated her Kazakhstani opponent in the third-place playoff to secure the podium finish for Malaysia.
The 42-year-old prison officer from Tanjung Batu Darat, Tawau — representing the Tawau District Traditional Archery Association (Permata) shared her experience upon her arrival at Kota Kinabalu International Airport on Friday.
“The challenge was incredibly difficult because the format differed from what we usually use in Malaysia. We also had to adapt to the freezing weather, which was a stark contrast to the heat back home,” she explained.
Surianti’s achievement is all the more remarkable given that she only took up traditional archery three years ago.
“This was my first time competing in a major tournament, so bringing home a medal for Malaysia was completely unexpected,” she said.
Looking ahead, she now aims to compete in an international tournament in Turkey next year before returning to compete in South Korea.
Youth Development, Sports Advancement and Creative Economy Minister Datuk Nizam Abu Bakar Titingan, who welcomed her at the airport, praised Surianti’s success as a proud achievement that should inspire young Sabah athletes.
“It is a remarkable achievement to finish in third place because this tournament featured competitors from more than 45 countries worldwide,” he said.
“Nothing is impossible for the youth of Sabah. The key is to stay focused, remain disciplined, and train consistently.”Nizam also announced a RM5,000 cash incentive for Surianti in appreciation of her bronze medal victory.
He expressed hope that the reward would motivate her to further elevate her performance and achieve even greater success on the international stage.
.jpg?t=1792982666)
