Syakilla needs to clear three stages to make 2020 Tokyo Olympics

All winners: Nestle Malaysia business executive officer Philomena Tan (centre) posing for a photograph with recipients (from left) Nur Izzati Yaakob, Felicia Mikat, Syakilla Salni Jefry, Ng Eain Yow (squash) and Welson Sim yesterday. — AZLINA ABDULLAH/ The Star

KUALA LUMPUR: National karate exponent Syakilla Salni Jefry is ranked fifth in the world in the women’s kumite below 55kg category.

But the 2014 Incheon Asian Games gold medallist faces a tough task to qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. She will have to go through three stages of the World Karate Federation’s (WKF) Karate 1-Premier League series.