Debutants have nothing to fear with coach Peng Kean by their side

KUALA LUMPUR: Teenage fencers Teh Zi Hao, Keane Leong and Resha Shaveena Sabaratnam may experience first-time jitters in their SEA Games debut in Cambodia but they can count on their coach to make their journey smooth.

Their coach is none other than former SEA Games champion Yu Peng Kean, who is also one of the only two Malaysian fencers who have taken part at the Olympic Games.

Peng Kean represented Malaysia in sabre at the 2012 London Olympics, 48 years after the late Ronnie Ignatius Theseira made his Olympic bow in Tokyo in 1964.

Due to knee injuries, Peng Kean retired after the 2017 SEA Games but returned for another fling at the Hanoi SEA Games last year.

He fell short in his attempt to repeat the 2011 achievement in Indonesia where he led the sabre team to a first-ever gold at the SEA Games.

Malaysia’s team comprises Zi Hao, Keane, Terry Lee Dong Wei and Lee Tony in the men’s sabre team and individual events while Resha is the lone representative in the women’s sabre individual.

Peng Kean is excited over the new role.

“Zi Hao, Keane and Resha have been my students for a long time and I’m happy that they have earned the right to compete in SEA Games for the first time,” said Peng Kean.

“I’m proud to see them following after my footsteps.”

The team had been going through full-time training in Bukit Jalil for the last two months.

“It can be an unnerving experience for a debutant, especially if he or she is going up against a more experienced fencer in the group,” he said.

“It’s my job as the coach to guide them through these moments.

“I’ve been involved in fencing for a major part of my life and I don’t know what I will do outside of it,” said the 33-year-old, who has opened Valor Fencing Academy in Desa Sri Hartamas to produce young talents last year.

Peng Kean admitted it would be tough for his students to make it to the podium.

“The Cambodia stint will be an exposure but I’m targeting them to fight for medals at the 2027 Kuala Lumpur SEA Games,” he said.

“But it is still crucial for our team to do well in Cambodia and also at the next edition in Thailand as it will strengthen the chances for the sport to be included in the KL Games.”