26-05-2025
Gerambeat PS retain tug-of-war men's title
Gerambeat PS team receiving the Men's Open Tug-of-War title.
KOTA KINABALU (May 26): Gerambeat PS reigned supreme by retaining the 'Migazat Dukug' (tug-of-war) title in the recently concluded traditional sports competition held in conjunction with the state-level Kaamatan Festival.
The defending champions beat off the challenge of Reborn Blue Tiger to emerge as champions of the Men's Open (combined weight 680kg) event at the SMK Bahang, Penampang. Tagon Tambunan and Gerambeat Jr Garagas settled for joint third placing.
In the Women's Open (combined weight 560kg), KB Town 'pullers' bested Gerambeat Ladies in the final to prevent a clean sweep from the latter. Kota Marudu's Dinamik Women Puller Team and Kokup Tawau Ladies finished joint third.
Among other highlight in the two-day event was the 'Mipulos' (arm-wrestling) contest, which saw familiar faces such as two-time world gold medalist Joffey Jolly, Jolly Johnson and Joyce Heng Shu Xia among the winners.
Competing in the Men's Champion of Champions event, Joffey representing Papar defeated Raymond Wong of KDCA Kapayan to the title while Dollie Joe and Jazzien Boezalek shared the third placing.
Defending champion Jolly of Telipok remained unbeaten in the Men's Veteran event after he edged Oliver Joseph of Penampang in the final. The join third placing went to Esmond Ampilah (KDCA Kapayan) and Earl Dominic Gregory.
As for Joyce, she faced little problem as she claimed the Women's above 70kg category title beating fellow Penampang puller Nezira Petrus Lojuyo. Frecy Pettues of Kudat and Eristica Estie Bidi of Ranau finished joint third.
Five other divisions including newly-included under-18 event that attracted 40 entries were also contested in arm-wrestling, which was one of the nine traditional sports featured in the two-day programme.
Tug-of-war and arm-wrestling apart, the others were momolositik (slingshot), monopuk (blowpipes), manandus (spearing), Mobpiri (lighting fire), Monungkava Kalabau (roping buffalo), Rampanau (walk with poles) and Sipatu Tompulalangoi (giant slippers).
In all, around 2,000 people either attended or contested in the traditional sports programme, which was officiated by Assistant Minister of Youth and Sports Datuk Fairuz Renddan on Saturday.
Sabah Sports Board (SSB) chairman Masly Wahip officiated at the prize presentation and closing of the programme yesterday.
Traditional Sports Results
MIGAZAT DUKUG Men's Open 1. Gerambeat PS 2. Reborn Blue Tiger 3. Tagon Tambunan
3. Gerambeat Jr Garagas
