Tan raises a cheer

Exemplary acts: Wushu exponent Tan Cheong Min (left) and Lee Jia Rong posing with their medals at the World Championships.

PETALING JAYA: Wushu star Tan Cheong Min never disappoints whenever she steps out on the court for world championship action.

And the 27-year-old extended her impeccable medal record in the World Championships in Brasilia, Brazil, after winning a silver medal in the nandao (broadsword) event on Wednesday evening.

Cheong Min scored an impressive 9.726 points to secure the silver, finishing just behind China’s Zhang Yaling who grabbed the gold with 9.746 points.

Taiwan’s Chao Tang-hsuan took the bronze with 9.693 points.

Cheong Min thus has never failed to contribute a medal for Malaysia in all four world meet appearances so far.

She made her debut in Kazan, Russia, in 2017 with gold in duilian (sparring) and bronze in nangun (cudgel).

She took gold in nandao and two silvers – in duilian and nangun – in Shanghai two years later.

At the last world meet in Texas in 2023, Cheong Min contributed a bronze in nangun.

Cheong Min, however, was not the only one who stole the show for Malaysia at the Ulysses Guimaraes Convention Center.

Debutant Lee Jia Rong delivered a stunning surprise by taking bronze in the women’s gunshu (stick) event immediately after the opening ceremony concluded.

Jia Rong chalked up 9.703 points to finish behind Macao exponent Sou Cho Man (9.713).

The gold went to China’s Han Xueshi, who scored 9.746 points.

Cheong Min will be pleased to bring her good form across to the South American continent after becoming the first Malaysian wushu exponent to take gold at the World Games in Chengdu, China, last month.

Cheong Min won the women’s nanquan and nandao all-round competition in Chengdu.

Wushu Federation of Malaysia president Datuk Chong Kim Fatt was pleased to see Cheong Min and Jia Rong give Malaysia a flying start to their campaign in Brazil.

“Our biggest worry was to manage the situation in the world meet because of the long journey here,” said Kim Fatt.

“Cheong Min did not make any mistakes in her performance. Her footwork and jumps were impressive.

“It is nice for her to be on the podium in the nandao after she missed the chance in the last world meet in Texas after she fell ill before the event.’’

At the last world meet in Texas two years ago, Cheong Min fell ill upon arrival and only finished seventh in the nandao event.

In the men’s nanquan event, Bryan Ti Kai Jie placed 15th with 9.340 points.