SHAH ALAM: Karate exponent S. Sharvaankumar of Selangor suffered a broken leg three months ago while competing at the National Championships, raising serious doubts over his participation in the Malaysia Games (Sukma).
On Saturday (Aug 22), though, the 21-year-old not only showed up but defied the odds to clinch the gold medal in the men’s above 84kg kumite and exact revenge on the same fighter involved in the incident that left him injured.
Sharvaankumar made the home supporters proud after beating Perak’s M. Sharma at the Ideal Convention Centre (IDCC).
The contest ended 3-3, but Sharvaankumar was awarded the win following a video review.
He admitted feeling nervous when he stepped onto the mat against Sharma, with flashbacks of the incident three months ago running through his mind.
"I felt so nervous because when we last met, I was in the lead before he (Sharma) broke my leg and I was forced to retire," said Sharvaankumar.
"Since then, I had to go through rehabilitation consistently and returned to training not long after.
"But this time, the win was mine. And it feels even better to be doing it on home ground.”
Sharvaankumar’s maiden Sukma outing at the Sarawak Games two years ago ended in the opening round.
"This is my second and final Sukma and what a way to take my bow!
"In Sarawak, I lost in the first round but I had to battle through an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, which forced me to undergo surgery last year," he added.
The win showed that Sharvaankumar is indeed made of sterner stuff.
RESULTS
KUMITE
Men
55kg: S. Reshvien (Kel) bt B. Jeevesh (Sel) 5-5.
84kg: M. Bagawathi (Prk) bt R. Shrrinath (Nse) 7-1.
84kg and above: S. Sharvaankumar (Sel) bt M. Sharma (Prk) 3-3.
Women
55kg: S. Sanjena (Sel) bt Y. Thurga Sree (Joh) 9-1.
61kg: Adeola Fay Robert (Sab) bt Grace Limbang Patrick (Swk) 10-1.
KATA
Men: Haznil Henry (Sab) bt Afiq Aiman (Pah) 3-2.
Women: Nur Rasyiqah Fari’ah (Ter) bt Quan Oi Heng (Pah) 4-1.
