Natasha has burning desire to deliver
NATIONAL fencer Natasha Ezzra Abu Bakar has targeted gold in the Kuala Lumpur Sea Games because she wants to prove her worth in front of the home crowd, especially her family.
In the 2015 Sea Games, Natasha, 26, lost in the quarter-finals to Singaporean Wang Wenying 15-14 and wants to make amends.
“I think my toughest competitor will be from Vietnam but I will try my best to fight for the gold medal for Malaysia.”
Ranked 29th in Asia, Natasha is aware of her weaknesses and wants to focus on turning them into strengths before attempting to win the gold medal.
“I need to learn to be more relaxed and lessen the pressure on myself. I also need to take it one step at a time and never surrender.”
Natasha wants to use competing on home ground to her advantage.
“The advantage will be the support from Malaysians and my family, which will flame my spirits.”
Natasha will be competing in the individual foil category and will endure a two-month training stint in South Korea to better prepare for the Games in August alongside teammate Joshua Koh.
Natasha will be in Hong Kong for the 2017 Asian Fencing Championships (June 17-22) where she will compete in her first international tournament of the year. Farah Azharie