KUALA TERENGGANU – Balancing the demands of full-time studies while carrying the weight of expectations as full-time athletes in pursuit of gold at the 2026 Selangor Malaysia Games (SUKMA) presents a double challenge for two Terengganu weightlifters.
For Muhammad Shah Jeh’an Syamsul Bahri and Farid Redzuan Mohd Zaubidi, their journey is more than just sport. Having trained together since their school days and now reunited as classmates at Universiti College TATI (UC TATI), their shared path has forged a bond that drives them to finish what they started years ago.
“It’s not easy for us to divide our focus between classes and the training centre, especially with the need to compete in multiple tournaments from the very first semester,” said Muhammad Shah Jeh’an, a Diploma in Sports and Recreation student at UC TATI.
“However, we are grateful for the flexible learning system at UC TATI, which supports us as full-time athletes. At the same time, we remain committed as full-time students, and this gives us the advantage of completing our studies on schedule without having to defer.”
His teammate and coursemate, Farid Redzuan, echoed the sentiment, noting that strong backing from the university’s administration and lecturers has been instrumental as they gear up for what will be their final SUKMA appearance.
“We’ve gone through ups and downs together throughout this SUKMA training programme — it hasn’t been easy. But we share one dream: a gold medal,” he said.
“SUKMA Selangor 2026 will be our final appearance. This is our last chance to prove to our families, coaches and everyone who has supported us that all the sacrifices were worth it. As for my future in the sport, this could well be my final chapter,” added Farid, who began his journey in 2019 and made his SUKMA debut at the Sarawak 2024 edition.
For the 22nd edition of SUKMA, Terengganu will field a squad of eight male and eight female weightlifters. The competition is scheduled to take place from August 16 to 20, 2026, at Dewan Seri Cempaka in Hulu Langat.
At the previous SUKMA in Sarawak 2024, Terengganu delivered a standout performance, highlighted by a national record and gold medal in the men’s 96kg category through Muhammad Izzan Ismadi.
The women’s squad also delivered in dramatic fashion, with Nur Alissa Sofea Mohamadnor Wardi clinching gold in the 71kg category after lifting a combined total of 166kg — 71kg in the snatch and 95kg in the clean and jerk.
The achievements capped off an impressive campaign, with Terengganu’s weightlifting team finishing the Games with four gold medals and two silver medals.