Malaysia: Abdul Rahman Strides To Terengganu's First Gold Of The Games

June 02, 2008 18:06 PM

KUALA TERENGGANU, June 2 (Bernama) -- Abdul Rahman Mohd strode his way to Terengganu's first gold medal of the 12th SUKMA (Malaysia Games) after winning the 80km endurance race in equestrian held at the Terengganu Equestrian Resort in Kuala Ibai near here Monday.

The 18-year-old, riding "Tanwin Allure" averaged better speed throughout the gruelling 80km race to win ahead of team-mate Muhammad Alf Sabidi and give the host state every reason to celebrate, especially after failing to hit the gold trail on Sunday.

However, despite making it a 1-2 finish in the individual event, Terengganu failed to make it a grand double when riders from the Federal Territories clinched the Team gold with better average speed from their four riders.

The silver in the team event went to Melaka while Terengganu had to be contended with the bronze.

A total of 30 riders from nine states - Johor, Kedah, Melaka, Pahang, Penang, Selangor, Terengganu, Kelantan and Federal Territories - started the race which lasted for about eight hours as the horses needed to be rested after every 20km.

According to technical delegate for equestrian Major Yap Mou Soon, the race which started at 4pm Sunday ended at well past 1am.

"The horses needed to be checked after every 20km as per the requirement stipulated in the rules of the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) and that was the reason why endurance races take a long time to complete," he told Bernama when contacted.

Equestrian offers six gold medals in the SUKMA with four more coming from show jumping and dressage.

-- BERNAMA

Bernama.com