A self employed General Practitioner who lives with his lovely family in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. He dedicates his spare time serving people with precious information on climbing the Majestic Mountain of the Borneo, Mt Kinabalu. Reachable at drizad(at)gmail.comHe only used ‘ADIDAS KAMPUNG’, but still won the Climbathon ‘07
Have you heard about ‘Adidas Kampung’? It’s a Made-In-China rubber shoes that is widely available here in Malaysia - black color shoes with 4 stripes of either white or yellow or even black in color. And some have studs too. For those who have climbed Mount Kinabalu before, you will surely notice it - as most of the porters and guides wears this shoes up and down the mountain, almost everyday to earn a living.
I was not aware of the uniqueness of this shoes until I found out the news today. 21st Mount Kinabalu Climbathon 2007 ended last Sunday. Everybody knew that Spaniards won both the title, for men and women. I just don’t feel like posting the results of the climbathon, as you can get it elsewhere, mostly from online newspaper.
What struck me was, Safrey Sumping, a Mount Kinabalu mountain guide, got fourth place on the men’s open event. And he is the first Malaysian/Asian who won this race edition - WITH A PAIR OF ADIDAS KAMPUNG!!!
I read Borneo Post newspaper this morning, and feel very touched with his spirit. He even received a pair of running shoes from Agusti, the second place winner of the event, at the end of the Climbathon after Agusti spotted Safrey was wearing ‘Adidas Kampung’. (Some said that it’s the shoes that Agusti wears during the race).
No mountain high enough: Malaysian participant Safrey Sumping reaching the top of Mount Kinabalu to clinch the fourth place in the Mount Kinabalu International Climbathon- The Star
I wonder how the result of the event will be, if Safrey use the proper mountain running shoes to participate!
I think Malaysian football team & athletes should follow his spirit. And to me, that’s the true “Malaysia Boleh” spirit!
And Good Luck for Safrey too, as he is set to become the first Malaysian to take part in the prestigious Federation for Sports at Altitude’s (FSA) Buff Sky-Runner World Series Championship.
Malaysia Boleh, Bah!
August 29th, 2007 at 10:12 am
Yep. It’s a multipurpose shoes. Congratulations to Safrey Sumping. He won US$900 according to new Sabah times.
August 29th, 2007 at 11:46 am
On the other hand, Mius Balinting did not able to be in the top 10 as he was involved in an injury.
August 29th, 2007 at 12:07 pm
Yay! I knew there was something special about those shoes. I promise not to laugh at my friends anymore. Sorry folks.
Go Sabah!
August 29th, 2007 at 1:09 pm
Now you know…
August 29th, 2007 at 2:27 pm
Ever since the climbathon started years ago, I read in the papers that this type of shoe is the favourite among the locals.
August 29th, 2007 at 2:41 pm
Hi ben,
I think that it is the only shoes that local can afford to wear…
August 29th, 2007 at 3:51 pm
Actually, if I remembered it correctly, in a newsreport several years ago one of the local runners said they preferred Adidas Kampung even after trying on other shoes, because its the best shoe for the terrain.
August 29th, 2007 at 4:25 pm
Really ah? Wah…
September 7th, 2007 at 12:32 am
Actually.. back in Kunak, a lot of the labourers wear those shoes. I remember complaining to my dad few years back that I didn’t have any proper shoes for the school sport’s day. My dad suggested me to get those Adidas kampung.. and I cried.
Maybe I should’ve tried them. I might end up as Olahragawati!
September 7th, 2007 at 12:48 am
Yes Cindy. Don’t underestimate our father’s wisdom. Apparently he knows what he’s talking about….
September 11th, 2007 at 11:26 am
we are wearing kampung adidas for our sunday hike in kuching since last year, very comfortable,easy to wash and dry
September 11th, 2007 at 11:38 am
Wah… This adidas kampung really impress me. I wonder if adidas original wants to copy the patent of this shoes???
September 11th, 2007 at 11:43 am
A one piece all rubber, all condition gear. Almost like the ‘Crocs’ brand. That will be neat!
September 15th, 2007 at 10:45 am
happy everybody start 2 alert of it now, back in 80’s it’s commonly used in my hunting n jungle trips, it’s a wonderful gear, try it yourself!
September 15th, 2007 at 10:45 am
happy everybody start 2 alert of it now, back in 80’s it’s commonly used in my hunting n jungle trips, it’s a wonderful gear, try it yourself!
September 15th, 2007 at 12:04 pm
Really congratulations to Safrey to won 4th in Climbathon 2007. He actually improved his own time record compare to last year! After I read this post sent by Mr. Drizad only I know Safrey wear only Kg Adidas shoes! Safrey Sumping had been my Mt Kinabalu mountain guide for several times… He is very humble, gentle and helpful ! haha, I met him during Climabthon 2007 after he finished his race, he very happy called ” hi hi Wong “.. I never thought that such famous him nowaday will still remember me and call me even though that time many reporter want to talk to him! I am very touchful, as I am just a DNF runner who want to take a photo with him..hehe… Safrey also had “free” carry my UMS students for many times when they can’t climb Mt Kinabalu! Safrey not only carry them descending Mt Kinabalu, but ASCENDING Mt Kinabalu ! I got one time saw it with my own eyes that he carried my friend weight 50kg from Villosa Shelter to Laban Rata !!!!!! and yet he don’t want to receive any payment from my friend! He said “pelajar tiada duit, saya ikhlas, dia pun tidak berat”…hehe, if my backpack more than 6kg, i nearly half die to climb Mt Kinabalu lor… and Safrey said 50kg ” tidak berat” ? can u imagine that? haha…he is Superman of Malaysia!
September 15th, 2007 at 12:15 pm
Hahaha…
dominic = I will get one for me too!
wong = I agree with you that he is the Superman of Malaysia!
September 15th, 2007 at 12:52 pm
What a great story!..and what a humble man.
September 15th, 2007 at 1:03 pm
You’ll find many people like Safrey in the interior. I’ve experienced these myself many times over the years. This has its good points of course, but in some cases this could be a con point.
August 26th, 2008 at 12:12 am
hi, we always read your write-ups regarding the Mt Kinabalu Climbathon, very informative. My friends joined this year 22nd Climbathon and some finished the race before cut-off and others DNF. :).. Can I ask a favor, do you have a copy of 2007 race results for all men’s category and womens finishers. kindly send it to my e-mail address.
Thanks, I would appreciate if you could grant my requests
from Singapore .. Ronald
August 26th, 2008 at 7:56 am
@ guapo_guapo:
Climbathon 2007 result can be seen here:
http://climbathon.sabahtourism.net/2007/home.php?p=res
It’s an official website by Sabah Tourism.