MELAKA — National men’s doubles player Aaron Chia and women’s wushu exponent Sydney Chin secured top honours as they were named Melaka Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year for 2021/2022 at the 38th Melaka State Sports Award ceremony held today.
The 25-year-old Aaron emerged edged three other national athletes, including 22-year-old wushu exponent Tan Zhi Yan, 30-year-old shooter Jonathan Wong Guanjie, and 32-year-old archer Juwaidi Mazuki, as well as 20-year-old muay thai exponent Wan Muhammad Sabri Wan Mohd Zuki.
Aaron’s remarkable international achievements, which include a bronze medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, a gold medal at the 2022 Japan World Championship, and gold and bronze medals at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, United Kingdom, earned him this prestigious recognition.
In the women’s category, 24-year-old Sydney clinched the title, outshining her competitors, including 22-year-old Tammy Tan Hui Ling and 23-year-old shuttler Toh Ee Wei.
Sydney won a bronze in the taijiquan event at the 2021 Hanoi SEA Games.
The awards, featuring a challenge trophy, RM3,000 in cash, an accompanying trophy, and a certificate, were presented by Melaka Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Mohd Ali Rustam to the deserving recipients.
The ceremony, graced by the presence of Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh and state Youth, Sports, and Non-governmental Organisation (NGO) Committee chairman VP Shanmugam, celebrated the outstanding achievements of Melaka’s sports stars.
Aaron, additionally, received a total of RM23,000 in cash incentives for securing two bronze medals at the Copenhagen World Badminton Championship and the 2023 Asian Games.
Meanwhile, wushu exponent Tan Cheong Min and archery bronze medallist Juwaidi received cash incentives of RM25,000 and RM15,000, respectively.
Recognising the potential of young talent, 18-year-old junior cyclist Muhammad Hafiq Mohd Jafri and 14-year-old weightlifter Nurul Syasya Khairina Syamsur were honoured as the junior sportsman and sportswoman of 2021/2022.
During the ceremony, Chief Minister Ab Rauf expressed the significance of the state sports awards, emphasising their role in acknowledging and motivating athletes who have brought glory to Melaka through their dedication and success.
“This also proves that the state government always appreciates their successes and will encourage them to meet new challenges in the future,” he said. — November 19, 2023