COLORINE SIJANG STRIKES GOLD, SETS NEW APG RECORD AT AGE 47

From Farah Najihah Zuraimi

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 21 (Bernama) -- When most of her peers choose to slow down, national discus thrower Colorine Sijang has proven that fighting spirit knows no age as the 47-year-old emerged champion of the women’s F40, F41 event at the 2025 Thailand ASEAN Para Games (APG) while setting a new championship record.

The Kuching, Sarawak-born athlete delivered a gold medal for the country with a throw of 12.82 metres (m) at the His Majesty the King’s 80th Birthday Anniversary Stadium, showcasing a confident performance on the international stage.

More meaningfully, the mark erased the previous record held by Thailand’s Kannikon Yaemmali (10.83m), set at the 2022 APG in Solo, Indonesia.

The success also came in Colorine’s maiden APG appearance, with her admitting that the achievement was the result of strong determination to continue improving her performance after competing at the Sarawak Para SUKMA 2024.

“I just wanted to do my best. At Para SUKMA, my distance was just over 11m, so at this APG I really targeted to improve further,” she told reporters, unable to hold back tears after the medal presentation ceremony here today.

According to Colorine, the success would not have been possible without strong support from the coaching team, family and all Malaysians, especially the people of Sarawak, who have always believed in her abilities.

The mother of two also described hearing Negaraku played after her victory as an unforgettable experience that would remain etched in her memory for a lifetime.

“This is my first APG. I’m touched and excited. All the sacrifices, three months of training in Kuala Lumpur, finally paid off,” she said, stressing that mental resilience was the key to remaining competitive at the highest level despite the challenges posed by age.

In the same event, the silver medal went to Myanmar athlete Akari Chaw with a throw of 12.32m, while the bronze medal was claimed by another Malaysian representative, Mazzdiana Nuratasya Abd Rahim, who recorded 12.23m.

Two other national athletes, Nor Syalila Mat Nor and Siti Zaidah Mokhtar, finished fourth and fifth, respectively, with throws of 11.86m and 10.28m.

-- BERNAMA