Two more gold, three bronze from karate

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian karate team added two more gold and three bronze to their collection in the Kuala Lumpur SEA Games yesterday, after three gold and a silver on Tuesday.

In the competition at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, Syakilla Salni Jefry Krisnan bagged the first gold in the women’s Kumite below 55kg after defeating Trang Cam Lanh of Vietnam 3-0 in the final.

Next up was R. Sharmendran who hammered Trang’s compatriot Chu Duc Thinh 7-0 in the men’s Kumite below 75kg category.

Malaysia also won three bronze in the men’s below 55kg, women’s kumite below 68kg and men’s kumite above 75kg categories via S. Prem Kumar, M. Mathivani and A. Somanroy.

Syakilla Salni, gold medallist in the Myanmar SEA Games (2013) and Incheon Asian Games (2014), said the “gold rush” by Malaysian athletes in KL2017 spurred her determination to win the gold medal.

“I am so happy to win the gold on home ground and I dedicate this gold medal to myself, family, coach and all the fans for their solid support,” she said.

Sharmendran said that he was “mighty glad” that all the hard work he put in produced results.

“I am proud of this achievement because karate has always been seen as gold mine for the country in the SEA Games,” he said.

Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Datuk M. Saravanan was present to give moral support. – Bernama