KUCHING: The 2024 state-level Gawai Dayak Gala Dinner at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) featured the presentation of the 2024 Dayak Youth Sports Icon Award to four Sarawakian athletes.
This award recognizes and appreciates Dayak athletes who have brought honour to both Malaysia and Sarawak on the international sports stage.
The awards were presented by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, alongside Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, during the event held at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) last night (June 23).
The recipient for the 2024 Dayak Sportswoman category (diving) is National Diving Queen Datuk Pandelela Rinong Pamg, who has also achieved various successes on the world stage, including winning a gold medal at the FINA Diving World Cup Tokyo 2021 and the SEA Games Hanoi 2021.
As for the 2024 Dayak Sportsman award (boxing), the award was given to Asian boxing champion Daeloniel McDelon Bong, also known as Kilat Boy, who records achievement of winning gold medals at the Penang Island International Boxing Festival and the Malaysian Youth and Sports Minister’s Boxing Cup.
Meanwhile, the 2024 Dayak Para Sportsman category (powerlifting) was awarded to national powerlifting champion Bonnie Bunyau Gustin, who has won multiple gold medals, including at the 2020 Paralympic Games, Tokyo, 2022 Commonwealth Games, Birmingham, 2019 World Championships, Nur-Sultan, 2021 World Championships, Tbilisi, 2021 World Para Powerlifting World Cup, Dubai, 2021 World Para Powerlifting World Cup, Bangkok and the 2022 Asian Para Games, Hangzhou.
The award also saw Angeline Melissa Lawas, a boccia athlete, received the 2024 Dayak Para Sportswoman award (boccia) for her achievements, including winning a bronze medal at the 2022 Bahrain World Boccia Cup (Team), 2023 Montreal World Boccia Cup (Individual) and the 2023 Ponzan World Boccia Challenger (Team).
