Sharmendran stays on as kumite coach for Thailand stint

PETALING JAYA: Former national karate exponent R. Sharmendran will continue to helm the kumite team for the SEA Games in Thailand this December.

The four-time SEA Games champion was initially appointed as the national development team coach after retiring in 2023.

However, he stepped up as the interim head coach following the unexpected departure of Egyptian coach Tamer Abdelraouf Mohamed Mourssy last December.

The Malaysia Karate Federation (Makaf) are in the midst of discussion with the National Sports Council (NSC) to finalise Sharmendran’s position within the national set-up.

Sharmendran, who is expecting a confirmation anytime, said he was committed to his job.

“My vision is to help the athletes perform better. I see coaching the senior team as a chance for me to challenge myself,” said the 33-year-old.

“It’s a good opportunity for me to improve things based on my experience of nearly 15-years as an athlete. I happy to see the athletes improving under my plans

“We have combined training for both back-up and senior athletes, so I don’t see issues in our preparation for the upcoming assignments.”

Under Sharmendran’s guidance, national exponent C. Shahmalarani won the silver medal in the women’s kumite below 50kg category at the Asian Championships in Kazakhstan last May.

She is the first Malaysian karate exponent to contest a kumite final at the Asian meet.

Shahmalarani won her first gold medal at the South-East Asian Karate Federation (Seakf) Championship in Brunei in June.

Newcomer S.Thevendran took bronze in his Asian debut and claimed gold in the men’s below 55kg category at the SEAKF meet.

Karate contributed a total of 10 medals for Malaysia – four golds, two silvers and four bronzes at the Cambodia SEA Games two years ago.