Karate veteran Prem tunes up for golden swansong at Asiad

Won’t let myself down: S. Prem Kumar (right) will push himself to the maximum in probably his final Asian Games.

PETALING JAYA: Veteran karate ace S. Prem Kumar plans to make the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, in September his swansong appearance with the national team.

The seasoned campaigner, who turned 32 on Jan 10, made an impressive debut at the 2018 Jakarta Asian Games when he won the men’s kumite below 60kg bronze medal.

He competed in the below 67kg category at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games but exited in the quarter-finals.

Prem, who is also the national team captain, is hoping that his third appearance at the Games will finally bring gold.

The Sentul-born Prem said he is prepared to compete in any division assigned to him.

“I have no probem changing weight classes. I’m used to it. As an athlete, I need to be ready to compete. When you are given a task, you just have to deliver the result,” said Prem, who has won three SEA Games gold medals in his karate career so far.

Prem said discipline and focus remained the core values that guide his approach, regardless of the opponent or category.

“Karate is about discipline and focus.

“When we are well prepared, it doesn’t matter who the opponent is or what the weight class is, we just have to go out and perform our best.”

The assignments for the year have not been identified yet but Prem said his main target is to earn a place in the Asian Games squad.

“I don’t know much about the plans yet since it’s still early in the year but I want to compete at the Asian Games.

“It will be my third Asiad and I want to push myself to the maximum this time. If possible, I want to win the gold medal.”

At the Thailand SEA Games last year, Prem’s spot in the men’s kumite below 55kg event was given to rising star K. Thevendran.

The 21-year-old went on to win gold, a title Prem had claimed at the 2022 Cambodia SEA Games.

Prem believes the competition from younger athletes was healthy for the sport and insisted selection should always be based on merit.

“We have good youngsters coming up in the team and I’m personally happy to have competition.

“I don’t think they are taking away anyone’s spot. The best athlete should be picked to represent the country.

“I also came through the same process where we replaced senior athletes. We are all just doing our best,” he said.