Marcos poses during Sukma XXI in Sri Aman in 2024.
KUCHING (July 29): Sarawak boxer Marcos Robert is determined to make amends for his disappointment at the previous edition of Sukma by returning with a medal when he represents the state at the 22nd Malaysia Games in Selangor next month.
The 22-year-old from Limbang will be making his second Sukma appearance after missing out on a podium finish at Sukma XXI in Sarawak in 2024.
Reflecting on his journey, Marcos said he took up boxing at the age of 15 and credits the sport for teaching him discipline and responsibility while learning self-defence.
“I started boxing when I was 15 years old. The sport has taught me how to defend myself responsibly.
“This will be my second Sukma. My target is to bring home a medal for Sarawak. I failed to win a medal at the last Sukma, so this time I hope to bring back a gold medal for Sarawak,” he said when interviewed on Tuesday.
Marcos opened his Sukma debut in 2024 with an impressive 5-0 unanimous decision victory over Federal Territories’ Jimey Kilah in the men’s light middleweight preliminary round before bowing out in the quarter-finals after losing 5-0 to Sabah’s Jonathan John.
Since then, he has continued to develop under the guidance of Sarawak coach Mohamad Helman Morni and enjoyed a breakthrough performance at the 2025 Sarawak Open Boxing Championships.
Competing in the light heavyweight category, Marcos claimed the gold medal after a dominant campaign, contributing to Sarawak’s overall haul of five gold and one silver medals at the tournament.
Sarawak Amateur Boxing Association (Saba) president Datuk Rahman Lariwoo believes Marcos has what it takes to make an impact at this year’s Games.
“Marcos is a valuable asset for the Sarawak boxing team heading to Sukma this year,” he said.
Boxing returns as a mandatory sport at Sukma 2026 and will be contested from Aug 16 to 23 at Dewan Tun Abdullah Mohd. Salleh, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia in Bangi.
Marcos is expected to be among Sarawak’s key hopes as the state aims for a strong showing following months of intensive preparations, including overseas training in Thailand, ahead of the biennial Games.
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