By UOW Malaysia 

The University proudly congratulates Tia Gabrielle Lim Ming En, a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering with Honours student, on winning a bronze medal in Women’s Artistic Gymnastics (WAG) at SUKMA 2026, held from 15 to 24 August 2026, marking a significant milestone in her sporting journey.

For Tia, the achievement was particularly meaningful as it came in the final competition of her competitive gymnastics career. Having dedicated 12 years to the sport, the bronze medal represented not only sporting success but also years of perseverance, sacrifice and unwavering commitment.

Tia’s journey in gymnastics began as a birthday gift from her parents and quickly developed into a passion that shaped her life. Her talent was recognised early by her coaches, leading her to compete at state and national levels from a young age. Throughout her school years, she represented her state at MSSM competitions and concluded her MSSM career with four medals, including a gold medal in her favourite event, the Balance Beam. She also gained international exposure at the Singapore Open, competing alongside elite gymnasts from across Asia.

Among her notable achievements was helping her team secure Johor’s first-ever medal in Women’s Artistic Gymnastics at SUKMA 2022, where the team won silver. The experience provided invaluable exposure and strengthened her determination to continue striving for excellence in the sport.

Like many high-performing athletes, Tia’s journey was not without challenges. She overcame performance anxiety at a young age and later battled injuries that threatened to end her sporting career. A back injury sustained while preparing for SUKMA 2024 left her questioning whether she could continue competing. However, with the support of her family, coaches and teammates, she persevered through rehabilitation and returned stronger.

Balancing university studies with elite-level athletics presented another significant challenge. While pursuing her degree, Tia maintained an intensive training schedule of five days a week while also working part-time as a gymnastics coach. Managing classes, coursework, competitions and training required exceptional discipline, resilience and time management.

All those sacrifices ultimately paid off at SUKMA 2026. Despite entering the competition without expectations of a podium finish, Tia and her teammates delivered an exceptional performance to secure the Women’s Artistic Gymnastics team bronze medal. The result was particularly rewarding as it came after years of dedication, physical challenges and countless hours of training.

Today, although her competitive career has come to an end, Tia remains actively involved in the sport as a coach at the same gymnastics club where her journey began. By mentoring young athletes and sharing the lessons she has learned, she hopes to inspire the next generation to pursue their dreams with the same determination and passion that guided her own journey.

Reflecting on her experience, Tia credits gymnastics for teaching her invaluable life lessons in discipline, resilience, patience and perseverance. Her remarkable achievement serves as an inspiration to fellow students, demonstrating that with dedication, hard work and the courage to overcome challenges, success both inside and outside the classroom is possible.