KUCHING – Sarawak’s sim racing squad returned from the Malaysia Games (SUKMA) XXII Selangor 2026 with a historic gold medal, becoming the state’s first gold medal contributors in an e-sports event at the Games.
The four-member team of Aaron Richard, Jeff Tan Qi Rui, Genevieve Henrietta Ooi and Cindy Cheng Ming En won the endurance race at the MPAJ Convention Centre on Wednesday.
Their victory marked Sarawak’s first gold medal in e-sports at SUKMA since the sport was introduced to the Games in 2018.
The achievement was particularly significant for the squad because the athletes came into the competition with different levels of experience.
Aaron and 15-year-old Cindy were both making their SUKMA debuts, while Jeff secured his first gold medal at the Games. Aaron said the result exceeded his expectations, particularly as it was his first appearance at SUKMA.
“It was also my first time participating in SUKMA, and I was able to bring home a gold medal. I was very proud and surprised,” he said after arriving at Kuching International Airport on Tuesday.
For Jeff, the victory carried a different significance, as it represented his first SUKMA gold medal. Cindy likewise said she was pleased to have contributed to Sarawak’s medal tally during her first appearance at the Games.
The team had faced strong competition from opponents with greater speed and access to more advanced training facilities.
Rather than relying solely on performance speed, the Sarawak squad placed emphasis on consistency, preparation and maintaining composure during the endurance race.
Aaron said their preparations extended beyond technical practice, with mental and physical conditioning included as part of their training programme.
“In racing, it is not always about being fast. It is also about how we handle pressure because if we are unable to control it, we may lose many positions or not be able to compete with other participants,” he said.
Physical conditioning was also used to help the athletes cope with long periods on the racing rig and reduce the likelihood of muscle cramps and discomfort.
Simulation sessions formed another part of their preparation, allowing the athletes to familiarise themselves with race conditions and practise responding to situations they could encounter during competition.
The commitment to training varied according to each athlete’s circumstances. Jeff reportedly trained for as many as nine hours a day, while Cindy balanced her school commitments with approximately two hours of training after classes before continuing her preparations at home.
The SUKMA victory has also given the four athletes fresh ambitions in sim racing and motorsports.
Jeff is now targeting the possibility of representing Malaysia at the SEA Games, while Aaron hopes to use his experience in sim racing as part of a longer-term ambition to become a professional racing driver.
Cindy, meanwhile, wants to build on her first SUKMA experience and pursue further opportunities in racing.
The athletes also credited their families for supporting their involvement in sim racing and helping them maintain their training commitments.
For Sarawak, the gold represents a significant milestone for its e-sports participation at SUKMA. For the four athletes, the result has provided both a memorable first Games experience and a platform for setting new goals in competitive racing.
