By Olivia Miwil - March 20, 2022 @ 10:31am
KOTA KINABALU: Unduk Ngadau Maya Hejnowska will climb the tallest mountain in the country next month.
The 22-year-old Kadazan-Polish lass, who won the "Unduk Ngadau" title during last year's harvest festival pageant contest, said the quest is beyond promoting the renowned Mount Kinabalu.
"We are aware that Mount Kinabalu is already known by people, inside and outside of Sabah. But there are people out there who don't believe that they can hike up the mountain.
"Perhaps in terms of promoting the mountain, I would most likely take a different approach and suggest that it'll be good to train our minds, not just our bodies (physical).
"Climbing the mountain is not a race, it doesn't determine how Sabahan or Malaysian you are, but if you get the chance to go up, then go for it," she told the New Straits Times.
The music student said she has been doing cardio training and hiking, as well as breathing exercises for almost a month as preparation for her second climb from April 1 until 3.
Maya said she is hoping to reach the peak this time as her first time in 2014, she only got up to Panalaban, the final pit stop before ascending to the summit of Low's Peak of Mount Kinabalu.
"I am worried about my stamina, just praying for it to be sufficient to help me reach the top, and also I hope that the weather will be good and safe on the day of our hike.
"Other than that, I am super excited to be hiking up the mountain with my Unduk Ngadau sisters," Maya said, adding she will be dressing up in a traditional costume on the summit.
During the 3-day trip, she will be accompanied by 15 people including the 2021 Unduk Ngadau finalists Lisa Christie Deminic, Sharon Stephen, Avrill Elvira Roger Anthony and Dianarin Vahidin.
Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan committee members led by its chairman Joanna Kitingan will also be part of the entourage.
Their journey will be shared on the Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan Facebook page.
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