04-08-2025
Joyce takes Strongest Woman title despite injury
Joyce flanked by Hurun (left) and Athirah after the prize presentation.
KOTA KINABALU (Aug 4): Joyce Heng overcame fierce competition and an early injury setback to claim the Women's Open title in the Felda Strongest Man challenge in Kuala Lumpur over the weekend.
Featuring six grueling events designed to test strength, endurance and mental toughness, Joyce concluded the two-day event with 60.5 points to take home the title.
The events contested were Yoke Walk where Joyce scored 10 points, Tyre Flip (11 points), River Stone (7.5 points), Hammer Hold (11 points), Car Deadlift (11 points) and Bus Pull (10 points).
Hurun Ain Hassan and Nur Athirah Hee Abdullah, both of Johor, collected 56 points and 49.5 points to finish second and third respectively.
The victory extended Joyce's impressive run in strength athletics competitions, where she has now amassed 30 golds, two silvers and one bronze.
However, the latest win was not as easy as the final score showed as the usually dominant Joyce found herself in an unfamiliar position of playing catch up after the end of the first day challenge.
The Penampang lass trailed 28.5 points to Hurun's 29 points, no thanks to ruptured muscles on her left forearm during the second event.
'Ruptured my left forearm doing Tyre Flip but backing down was never an option … I insisted on completing everything.
'The injury disrupted my momentum in the next event (River Stone). I only managed to complete one repetition and this affected my overall score.
'I returned for the second day challenge where we had another three events to be completed.
'The aim was to go out there and gave my utmost best despite the injury.
'Luckily, all went well and this paved the way for me to lifting another title … I'm extremely happy,' said Joyce in a WhatsApp conversation yesterday.
With the win, Joyce who took part on her own expenses, won RM2,500 in prize money and trophy.
'I will next take part in the Sibu Strongest Man & Woman Challenge from September 13-14,' she added.
Before that, Joyce will compete in the Sabah Masters Open Athletics Championship here from August 9-10.
Meanwhile, Sabah won overall haul of two golds and one silver in the Felda Strongest Man challenge.
The other gold was won in Men's Under 105kg through Charles Khoo, who edged Syahir Osman of Johor and Allen Chooi of Perak.
Sabah's Alder Ferrel Ijap and Ricky Aling came fifth and 11th place in the same category.
Flavia Manie Luntak delivered the silver medal in the Women's Under 70kg.
