PARA SUKMA: GLORIA COMPLETES SARAWAK'S THREE-GOLD TARGET IN TABLE TENNIS

KUCHING, Sept 25 (Bernama) – Sarawak's women’s paddler Gloria Gracia Wong Sze achieved the host state's goal of three gold medals in table tennis after winning the women's standing singles 9-10 category (physical disability) at the 2024 Malaysia Para Games (Para SUKMA) here today.

What made the victory even sweeter was that this marked Gloria’s third consecutive gold in the event, having won in the 2018 edition in Perak and the 2022 edition in Kuala Lumpur.

Speaking to Bernama, Gloria shared that the success of Malaysia’s powerlifting hero, Bonnie Bunyau Gustin, who is celebrated in their home state of Sarawak, has always been her source of motivation to contribute to Sarawak's gold medal tally.

“As a national athlete, I always look up to Bonnie, who consistently brings glory to Malaysia and Sarawak. I want to be like him, I want to go to the Paralympics and win gold like Bonnie,” she said after clinching the gold.

In the final held at SJK (C) Chung Hua No.3, Gloria easily defeated Terengganu’s Nurul Nasuha Mohd Anuar 11-3, 11-4, 11-1, while Halimatus Saadiah Madsah from Sabah took the bronze.

Gloria's gold medal completed Sarawak's three-gold target in the sport, following Bivyana Anak Ujai’s triumph in all three matches of the round-robin format.

Sarawak’s first table tennis gold was secured by Chow Mei Hsia in the women’s wheelchair singles category, after overcoming all three opponents in the round robin on Monday.

Gloria, who also won a silver medal at the ASEAN Para Games in Cambodia last year, said this victory gave her an extra boost to aim for gold at next year’s ASEAN Para Games in Thailand.

"One step at a time to ensure I qualify for the Paralympics like Bonnie. My aim is gold at the ASEAN Para Games, and I’m looking forward to competing again in the Asian Para Games,” she said.

-- BERNAMA