The success of winning the gold medal at the 1998 Commonwealth Games, the world's second-largest sporting event after the Olympics, put Sapok Biki, 46, and Malaysia, in the boxing limelight.
Even though he had represented the county at the Olympics two years prior to the Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur, he was little-known among Malaysians then, with the exception of ardent boxing fans.
"At that time, I did not stand out, maybe because boxing was still not so popular among sports enthusiasts. But after the Commonwealth Games, and maybe the factor of being the host country at the time (I began to stand out) and my achievement was to win the last gold medal for Malaysia in the sporting event," he added.
He began his boxing career in 1994 before being selected as one of the athletes in the 'Jaya 98 Programme' managed by the National Sports Council to compete in the 1998 Commonwealth Games.
Speaking to Bernama here recently, the national boxer said at that time, there were no high hopes set for boxing at the competition, however, his shocking gold-medal achievement changed the sporting landscape in the country.
Sapok said although it was almost two decades since he achieved the feat, he felt that the success would not have been possible but for the independence, peace, and prosperity of the country.
"We look at the success of our athletes for example, they can be successful and reach the highest level in sports because the country is peaceful with a stable economy and administration," he said.
People from all walks of life, regardless of their social status must appreciate the value of freedom and independence as the previous generation has made great sacrifices to achieve it, he added.
According to Sapok, the Rukun Negara is the foundation for unity in the country and should be refined and appreciated so that the sense of togetherness, and integration among the community can be preserved and further strengthened.
"Every principle contained in the Rukun Negara has great meaning and if we fully appreciate it, we will definitely feel that we are the luckiest people, to be able to live together as Malaysians," he said.
"We must discipline ourselves and always be grateful for what we have gained from the struggles of the previous generations. The current generation must continue the struggle so that our country can progress and continue to develop," he said.
-- BERNAMA
Bernama
Sat Aug 01 2020
![Sapok raises Malaysia's standard in the boxing ring Sapok raises Malaysia's standard in the boxing ring](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2020-08/41596299084_SapokBiki.jpg)
Sapok Biki began his boxing career in 1994 before being selected as one of the athletes in the 'Jaya 98 Programme'. - File photo
![Wanita racun lima orang sebelum bunuh diri dengan sianida - Polis Bangkok Wanita racun lima orang sebelum bunuh diri dengan sianida - Polis Bangkok](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/51721208356_Bangkokhotel.jpg)
Wanita racun lima orang sebelum bunuh diri dengan sianida - Polis Bangkok
Polis percaya seorang daripada enam pelancong, dua daripadanya juga memegang pasport Amerika Syarikat, adalah dalang di sebalik tragedi itu.
![Tiada dokumen buktikan Guan Eng batal pengecualian cukai Yayasan Albukhary - Saksi Tiada dokumen buktikan Guan Eng batal pengecualian cukai Yayasan Albukhary - Saksi](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-03/51679899391_MASHUP.jpg)
Tiada dokumen buktikan Guan Eng batal pengecualian cukai Yayasan Albukhary - Saksi
Tiada dokumen yang menunjukkan bahawa Lim Guan Eng telah membatalkan pengecualian cukai terhadap Yayasan Albukhary semasa beliau memegang jawatan Menteri Kewangan.
![Kes bunuh Nur Farah Kartini: 26 saksi dirakam keterangan - KP Selangor Kes bunuh Nur Farah Kartini: 26 saksi dirakam keterangan - KP Selangor](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/61720605165_tbHusseinOmarKhan.jpg)
Kes bunuh Nur Farah Kartini: 26 saksi dirakam keterangan - KP Selangor
Datuk Hussein Omar Khan berkata antara saksi yang dirakam keterangan mereka termasuklah rakan Allahyarham Nur Farah Kartini, rakan sekerja suspek dan saksi awam.
![27 anjing mati disyaki diracun, JPV kesal tiada aduan awal 27 anjing mati disyaki diracun, JPV kesal tiada aduan awal](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/71721213446_HngMooiLye.jpg)
27 anjing mati disyaki diracun, JPV kesal tiada aduan awal
Tiada tindakan lanjut dapat diambil termasuk siasatan punca kematian haiwan berkenaan kerana kelewatan melaporkan insiden itu.
![Biden akan tarik diri jika doktor dedahkan ada masalah kesihatan Biden akan tarik diri jika doktor dedahkan ada masalah kesihatan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/61721019915_JoeBiden.jpg)
Biden akan tarik diri jika doktor dedahkan ada masalah kesihatan
Biden sebelum ini berkata keadaan kesihatannya tidak memerlukan pemeriksaan tambahan, tetapi beliau bersedia jika doktor memintanya.
![Perundangan baharu diperkenal kawal selia Badan Berkanun Persekutuan - Pejabat PM Perundangan baharu diperkenal kawal selia Badan Berkanun Persekutuan - Pejabat PM](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-10/51696910524_PUTRAPERDANA.jpg)
Perundangan baharu diperkenal kawal selia Badan Berkanun Persekutuan - Pejabat PM
Satu perundangan baharu akan diperkenalkan bertujuan mengawal selia Badan Berkanun Persekutuan (BBP) serta syarikat-syarikat di bawahnya.
![MCMC siasat empat lagi individu, didakwa buat komen jelik dan provokatif MCMC siasat empat lagi individu, didakwa buat komen jelik dan provokatif](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/81721211871_MCMCKomenJelik.jpg)
MCMC siasat empat lagi individu, didakwa buat komen jelik dan provokatif
Secara keseluruhan enam suspek disiasat berhubung komen jelik dan provokatif menerusi siaran ulangan sesi Parlimen di platform media sosial
![Harga petrol, diesel kekal hingga 24 Julai Harga petrol, diesel kekal hingga 24 Julai](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-06/61717993469_RON.jpg)
Harga petrol, diesel kekal hingga 24 Julai
Kementerian Kewangan dalam kenyataan hari ini memaklumkan harga runcit diesel di Sabah, Sarawak dan Labuan kekal pada paras RM2.15 seliter.
![38 makmal dianugerah status BNP Labs, usaha perkasa usahawan dan keupayaan inovasi 38 makmal dianugerah status BNP Labs, usaha perkasa usahawan dan keupayaan inovasi](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/71721211198_BNPLabs.jpg)
38 makmal dianugerah status BNP Labs, usaha perkasa usahawan dan keupayaan inovasi
38 buah makmal dianugerahkan status Bionexus Partners Laboratories (BNP Labs) ke arah memperkasakan keusahawanan dan keupayaan inovasi dalam industri bioteknologi dan berasaskan bio di Malaysia.
![Ladang kelapa sawit dipercayai lokasi Nur Farah Kartini dibunuh - Polis Ladang kelapa sawit dipercayai lokasi Nur Farah Kartini dibunuh - Polis](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/51721210176_TBFARAHMAYAT.jpg)
Ladang kelapa sawit dipercayai lokasi Nur Farah Kartini dibunuh - Polis
Polis percaya kawasan ladang kelapa sawit di Kampung Sri Kledang di sini adalah lokasi Nur Farah Kartini Abdullah, dipercayai dibunuh.