KUALA LUMPUR: The national karate team received a boost in their bid to chase for glory at the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya after the Malaysia Karate Federation (Makaf) promised a Proton e.MAS car for gold medal winners.
Makaf president Datuk Nur Azmi Ahmad, who made the pledge yesterday, hoped the incentive would motivate the karatekas to achieve their best results in the Asiad from Sept 19-Oct 4.
The Malaysian contingent are targeting six gold, seven silver and 20 bronze medals and karate is one of the 13 sports targeted to deliver.
“Although the target for the national contingent is small, the contribution of one gold medal is important,” said Azmi.
“And for karate, God willing, we will try our best to contribute.
“This reward is big and whoever wins a gold medal, we will give this car to the athlete.
“This is separate from the cash incentive they will get under the National Sports Council scheme.
“It is the best opportunity for our athletes to shine as it is not easy for sponsors to give away a car,” added Azmi after the symbolic presentation at the National Sports Institute yesterday.
Malaysia will send eight exponents for the Asian Games karate competition.
World Championships silver medallist C. Shahmalarani will lead the kumite team.
She will compete in the women’s below 50kg category with Adeola Fay Robert (below 55kg) and Zakiah Adnan (below 61kg).
The two other male kumite exponents are K. Thevendran (below 55kg) and H. Sureeya Sankar (below 60kg).
For the kata discipline (non sparring), Malaysia will send only the men’s team of Haznil Henry, Aiqal Asmadie and Mukhriz Mazlan.
At the last Asian Games in 2023, Malaysia won one gold through Mohd Arif Afifuddin Malik in the men’s kumite below 84kg category.
Lovelly Anne Robberth won silver in women’s individual kata and combined with Naccy Nelly Evvaferra and Niathalia Sherawinnie to also claim silver in the team event.
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