Kenyans dominate jungle race
Winners and participants at the close of the 2025 Kemuyang Nature Challenge.
TWO Kenyan athletes claimed top honours at the 2025 Kemuyang Nature Challenge in Sibu, Sarawak where 300 runners participated.
Samson Kamal, 29, dominated the 9km Men's Open category, finishing in 47:40.
His compatriot Kabui Teresial, 22, won the 9km Women's Open category, completing the race in 51:50.
They each received RM2,000 in prize money for their achievements.
A delighted Samson shared that the prize money was timely.
'We'll be using it to purchase our flight tickets home from Kuala Lumpur.
'A one-way ticket costs around RM2,000 each,' said Samson, who recently graduated with a degree in Business Economics from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM).
Kabui, who pursued the same course, also graduated from UKM.
(Below) Kabui (left) and Samson showing their prizes in Sibu.
Reflecting on the race, Kabui described it as 'tough', adding she had to give her all.
Samson said he enjoyed the event and praised the trail.
'This is our first time winning a jungle trekking event in Malaysia.
'We learnt about the competition from a Malaysian friend in Sandakan,' he said.
Samson added that both he and Kabui are marathon runners and will undergo intensive training at home before entering their next race.
Meanwhile, local runners Lim Siet Fah and Teo Lian Geok expressed disappointment over their performance, citing changes in the format.
'In the previous competition in December 2023, it was primarily jungle trekking.
'This time, it was 50% road running and 50% jungle trekking.
'My strength lies in jungle trekking, so it put me at a disadvantage,' said Lim, a vocational school teacher from Kuching.
Teo echoed Lim's sentiments.
Lim, the 2023 Women's Open category champion, finished third this time.
Teo secured second place in the 7km Women's Veteran category.
In the Men's Open category, second place went to Belfon Mosolan (RM1,500) and third to Saidi Suni (RM1,000).
For the Women's Open, second place was claimed by Luk Teck Bing (RM1,500) with Lim Siet Fah in third (RM1,000).
Winners of the 7km Men's Veteran category were Hardy Suntol (RM1,000), Chu Chat Shan (RM700) and Lee Kok Eng (RM500), while in the 7km Women's Veteran category, the top three were Lim Set Hiang (RM1,000), Teo Lian Geok (RM700) and Lee Leh Ha (RM500).
Sarawal Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Ministry representative Zulkanain Ismail presented the prizes.
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