SERDANG, June 21 (Bernama) -- Track and field stars Ruslem Zikry Putra Roseli and Nani Sahirah Maryata were crowned respectively as the Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) Sportsman and Sportswoman at the 38th UPM Sports Awards here today.
Ruslem Zikry, who is a 400 metres (m) runner and 400m hurdler, beat five other candidates, namely Wan Azley Wan Omar (rugby), Muhammad Hafizie Sudin (rugby), Adam Ariff Alias (rugby), Kamal Farhan A. Rahman (athletics) and national shooter Haritz Iklil Hessly Hafiz.
Speaking to reporters, Ruslem Zikry admitted he was surprised to upstage other front-runners who had impressive records in their respective fields.
“I am grateful to win this award because I see many world-class UPM athletes. (But) this is my day and a stepping stone to go further in future tournaments, especially the AUG (Asean University Games),” he said here today.
Meanwhile, the race in the women’s category saw Nani, who is the national record-holder in the shot put, beat Mandy Goh Li (athletics), Azreen Nabila Alias (athletics), Nurul Ashikin Abas (athletics), Nor Asfarina Isahyigiqa Isahhidun (hockey) and karateka Siti Nur Azwani Nor Azli.
Nani admitted that winning the title of UPM Sportswoman will be a ‘tonic’ for her to break her own national record when she aims for a throw of 15.22m at AUG 2024.
“I want to compete with a vengeance at the AUG because I was not able to make (the best throw) at the recent Malaysian Open (in Kuantan). So hopefully I can pull it off (at the AUG),” she said.
Among Ruslem Zikry’s best achievements was winning a gold medal and a silver medal in the 2023 Singapore Open Championships while Nani won a bronze medal at the 2023 Cambodian SEA Games, and created a new national record at the 2023 Perak Open Championships.
The two top athletes each took home a cup, an accompanying trophy, a watch and RM3,000 in cash.
In addition, the 2023 UPM Most Promising Star (men's) award went to national rugby player Adeen Imann Mat Baharuddin while national archer Nur Ain Ayuni Fozi was the women's Most Promising Star.
The 38th UPM Sports Awards celebrating the achievements of 182 athletes was attended by UPM Vice Chancellor Datuk Prof Ahmad Farhan Mohd Sadullah.
-- BERNAMA
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