Brunei Darussalam’s long-distance obstacle course racing competitors made history in the Kuala Lumpur Spartan Honor Trifecta Weekend 2024 after collecting two gold and five bronze amid the country’s most successful appearance at the Combat Baze in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
The country’s rising star Noraiman Streaker enhanced his reputation in the regional scene after winning gold in the Super Competitive 18-24 Age Group category while seasoned participant Zulkernean bin Tohara bagged gold in the Men’s 50-54 Age Group category.
The young athlete joined fine company alongside Zulkernean and Muhammad Adid bin Abdul Kadir who have won gold representing the country.
His age group teammate Aiman bin Haji Yahya ensured a rare feat of two Bruneians standing on the same podium after securing a bronze medal with a time of 1:40:39s.
Noraiman, who also made the podium in this event last year, was in a league of his own after registering a time of 1:22:38s, opening a 10-minute gap ahead of silver medallist Malaysia’s Abdulrhman Almonajed who finished with a time of 1:33:16s.
Zulkernean, who is no stranger to success having previously won gold and has been appointed regional ambassador, ran the course in a time of 1:47:30 ahead of Malaysia’s Peter Pereira and Shakeel Katroo.
The medal rush ensured the country’s most successful showing in a single weekend of the globally-renowned franchise.
The nation’s leading female Spartan competitor Afiqah binti Haji Hanapi added bronze in the Beast and Super Competitive Female 25-29 Age Group categories to her growing medal collection.
Earlier on Saturday, Aiman, who was making his debut appearance, sealed bronze in the Beast Competitive event with experienced local Shahril Muin emulating the same feat in the 45-49 Age Group category.
Aiman, now a multiple medallist, clocked a time of 3:27:28s behind eventual winner Malaysia’s duo Abdulrhman Almonajed and Anderson Chai.
Meanwhile, Shahril continued his impressive form in the regional Spartan circuit this year after sealing yet another podium finish.
The local obstacle course racing star, who gained a reputation as one of the country’s most successful athletes, registered a time of 2:40:14s behind Italy’s Davide Liu and China’s Anguo Lin.
He has been previously awarded second place in the Spartan South ASEAN Series last May and bronze in the 2024 Pattaya Spartan Trifecta Weekend last August.
Brunei also enjoyed commendable results including fourth place for both Hafizh bin Khalid and Azad Zainal in the Beast Competitive Men’s 30-34 Age Group and the 50-54 Age Group category, respectively.
Azad also ended fifth in the Super Competitive event. – Fadhil Yunus
