Sabahan armwrestlers delivered two gold medals and one silver for Malaysia at the VIER Sport International Armwrestling competition held in Jakarta on Sunday.
Joffey Jolly, the reigning world champion in the men’s right hand -70kg category, secured the Pro 70kg title. Jolly, who clinched the world title at the IFA World Armwrestling Championship 2023 in October, lived up to expectations and emerged victorious. Park Saeyoon from South Korea claimed the second spot, while Indonesian Andhi Shodiyarno finished in third place.
In the women’s open category, Sabah’s strongest woman, Joyce Heng, brought home a gold medal by defeating Indonesians Velly Natalien Susilo and Anisa Fathin, who finished in second and third place respectively. Despite only entering the sport earlier this year, Heng expressed her delight at winning her first international title.
This is my first international arm wrestling competition, and I am very happy to win the gold medal for the country, Heng said. She also expressed gratitude towards her coach, Jolly Johnson, for his guidance and support.
Adding to Malaysia’s tally, Calveen Petrus secured a silver medal in the men’s pro open category, finishing behind South Korea’s Ji Hyunmin. Dion Ombeng from Indonesia claimed the third spot.
The Malaysian contingent also secured a bronze in the men’s pro 100kg category, with Jake Chia finishing in third place. The champion in this category was Baek Seongyeol from South Korea, followed by German Roland Kamtschiev.
The competition saw participation from over 200 athletes representing Bulgaria, Germany, Russia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, South Korea, and Indonesia.
The armwrestlers’ achievements in Jakarta are a testament to their skill and dedication to the sport. Their stellar performances bring pride and honor to Malaysia, showcasing the country’s talent on an international stage. The success of Joffey Jolly, Joyce Heng, Calveen Petrus, and Jake Chia is a testament to their hard work and perseverance in their respective categories.
As armwrestling continues to gain recognition and popularity, these athletes serve as an inspiration for aspiring armwrestlers across the nation. Their accomplishments highlight the immense potential within the Malaysian armwrestling community and pave the way for further success in future competitions.
The VIER Sport International Armwrestling competition serves as a platform for armwrestlers from around the world to showcase their skills and compete at the highest level. It is an event that celebrates strength, technique, and determination, bringing together athletes from different countries to engage in friendly yet fierce competition.
With their exceptional performances, the armwrestlers have certainly put Malaysia on the map in the armwrestling world. Their success brings recognition not only to themselves but also to the country, further solidifying Malaysia’s standing in the global armwrestling community.
As Malaysia continues to nurture and support its armwrestling talents, there is great potential for further achievements in future international competitions. The dedication and perseverance of these athletes serve as a reminder of the power of determination and the pursuit of excellence.
The armwrestling community in Malaysia can look forward to more exciting developments in the sport, with the hopes of producing even more top-notch athletes who can compete and succeed at the international level. The achievements of Joffey Jolly, Joyce Heng, Calveen Petrus, and Jake Chia signal a promising future for Malaysian armwrestling and inspire others to pursue their dreams in this challenging yet rewarding sport.
