Tears of joy as iron man Prem overcomes odds to reclaim title

Malaysia’s Prem Kumar Selvam (red belt) compete with Thailand’s Chanphet Setthaphong for the gold medal at Kumite Individual Male -55kg category at Chroy Changvar Convention Center in conjunction of 2023 Sea Games at Cambodia. - FAIHAN GHANI/The Star

BARELY a month ago, S. Prem Kumar could not even punch due to a left wrist surgery and feared that he would suffer another setback at the SEA Games.

The surgery took place in February and the 29-year-old Prem could only start using his injured left hand during training recently and was hoping for a miracle to reclaim the men’s below 60kg gold he won in 2019 Manila.