KUALA LUMPUR: Melaka’s wushu team made a superb start with five golds to kickstart the early medal rush in the 20th Sukma (Malaysia Games) in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.
After Bryan Ti Kai Jie and Sydney Chin got the ball rolling in the morning session, teammates Tan Pei Ler, Tammy Tan and Ang Qi Yue brought more cheers by triumphing in the respective women’s nanquan and daoshu; and men’s jianshu events.
A gamble not to miss even one day of training paid off for Bryan. He defied the doctor’s orders to stay away from training in the run-up to Sukma as he was carrying injuries but it turned out well in the end as the 18-year-old won the men’s nanquan competition.
Bryan garnered 9.59 points to top the field of 22 starters in the competition held at Gym 2 at the National Sports Complex in Bukit Jalil.
Johor’s Chan Shi Weng got the silver with 9.57 points while bronze went to another Melaka exponent James Kiew, who scored 9.56.
Bryan was pleased to take his first Sukma gold medal after four years.
Bryan, who is from Bukit Beruang, only managed bronze in men’s nandao in his Sukma debut four years ago in Ipoh.
“I did not expect to win as I was competing against better and senior opponents who had represented the country before.
“I am very happy with my performance today. It was not easy for me going into this Sukma competition as I went through a lot of pain.
“I forced myself to continue training even though the doctor asked me to rest for three weeks because I had knee and back injuries back in June.
“I did not want to miss training as my performance level would have been affected.
“Three weeks were too long a period and I don’t know if I had another chance in the next Sukma,” said Bryan, who is hoping his performance will earn him a call-up to the national squad.
“I hope my success will give me a chance. I hope to fight for a place for the Cambodia SEA Games next year,” added Bryan, who will compete in nandao (broadsword) and nangun (cudgel) after this.
National athlete Sydney also lived up to expectations to win the women’s taijijian (taiji sword) event for Melaka.
Sydney, a bronze medallist for Malaysia in taijiquan at the Vietnam SEA Games in May, scored 9.64 points to pick up her first Sukma gold.
“I have been unlucky in the previous Sukma appearances,” said the 23-year-old who comes from Cheng.
Sydney overcame the challenge of fellow Vietnam SEA Games teammate Mandy Cebelle Chen, who settled for silver for Selangor with 9.62 points.
Yong Arifah Khairul Kok got the bronze for Sarawak with 9.58 points.
Sydney has a shot at winning a second gold for Melaka when she competes in the women’s taijiquan today.
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