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Athletes celebrate their arduous climb to the top of Mt. Kinabalu, the highest mountain in Southeast Asia. |
Special Olympics athletes in Malaysia experienced the height of success on 19 April when they scaled Mt. Kinabalu, the highest mountain in Borneo and Southeast Asia. Twenty-two athletes from Taiwan, Brunei, Sarawak, Selangor and Sabah completed the remarkable 4,095-meter ascent.
Organized by Special Olympics Sabah, a state Program in Malaysia, the triennial “Mt. Kinabalu Challenge” is held to create public awareness for people with intellectual disabilities and build self-confidence in athletes.
During the 2008 event, athletes were accompanied by more than 50 volunteers. Volunteer Coordinator, Raymong Epun said it was hard keeping up with the athletes. “Throughout the two-day climb, we were sleepless and constantly worried about the athletes, their safety, welfare and comfort. It turned out that athletes were the least of our worries because they were fit, focused and very determined,” he reported. “They pushed full steam ahead from the flag-off at Timpohon gate. If anything, it was the escorts who were unable to keep up with the athletes, and that eventually slowed them down. In my opinion, it would be best that for such future events, the escorts undergo double the training as they must be fitter than the athletes in order to look after them,” Epun added.
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Athletes, volunteers and guides prepare to climb 4,095 meters to the top of the mountain. |
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On the final push to the summit - only a few hundred meters to go. |
The event's organizing Chairman, Dr. Liaw Yun Haw, said that all of the athletes reached Laban Rata (the halfway mark) by 3:30 p.m. After a night's rest, they began the final ascent at 2 a.m. The athletes reached the summit at 6 a.m.
Saujih Mohamad, one of the athletes to reach the summit, expressed his delight. “I am happy to see the beautiful sunrise from the highest point in Southeast Asia. Thanks to Special Olympics for the opportunity of a lifetime and for making my dream come true.”
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On the first day of the Mt. Kinabalu Challenge, climbers endured drizzle and, some, altitude sickness. | |
