PETALING JAYA: Wushu exponent Lee Jia Rong gave Malaysia a flying start by delivering the first gold medal in the Taolu World Cup in Haikou, China on Tuesday (July 7).
The 21-year-old won the women's daoshu (sword) event - the only medal for Malaysia on the first day of competition.
Jia Rong scored 9.736 points with Indonesia's Felda Elvira Santoso taking silver with 9.726 points.
In a tight contest for the podium, Hong Kong's Michelle Yeung also scored 9.726 points but settled for bronze on countback.
In the men's daoshu event, Vietnam SEA Games gold medallist Clement Ting placed sixth out of eight competitors with 9.730 points.
Wong Zi Hong finished fifth in the men's taijiquan with 9.726 points.
Malaysia have high hopes of another rewarding day tomorrow with reigning world champion Tan Cheong Min competing in the women's nangun (stick) and nandao (broadsword) events.
