Tambunan is karate powerhouse, says SKA
KOTA KINABALU: Tambunan’s ability in producing sport talents, in this case karate, has received the recognition of Sabah Karate Association (SKA) head coach Julian Chin.
Chin, when contacted yesterday, said the efforts put in, commitment and cooperation from karate fraternity in the district has allowed for a smooth development of the sport.
“Tambunan has proven to be productive in producing karate talents not only for the state but also the country.
“Pressy Misty Philip is one very good example,” said Chin referring to the latest karate talent to break into the national squad.
The 18-year-old Pressy announced herself with a fine outing at the national championship that won her a place in the recent Kuala Lumpur Sea Games 2017.
She debuted with a silver in the region’s premier multi-sport event but not after producing a courageous display where she only narrowly missed the gold due to inexperience.
However, Chin believed the youngster has learnt much from that experience to further progress and reach new heights in karate.
Pressy, in fact, has been selected to join the national squad for the World Karate Federation (WKF) Junior, Cadet and Under21 Championship in Santa Cruz De Tenerife in Spain from October 25-29.
“Pressy is among our young athletes that we hope could excel at international level,” Chin said while adding Pressy will compete in the under-21 Kumite 68kg category.
Having said that, Chin hoped that other districts in the state would double their efforts to match Tambunan, which is one of the top performers at state level competitions.
“The efforts from all would realise SKA’s hope in producing talented athletes to compete in the Tokyo Olympics 2020.
“On behalf of SKA, we would also like to thank the parents, schools and sponsors who had given their full support to the children or students in taking up karate.
“One most important factor to become a great athlete is not solely based on talent but possessing the determination and will to train hard ... discipline too is of utmost importance if one hopes to be successful in any sport,” said Chin.
Chin said this after conducting an SKA Talent Identification Development (TID) programme in Tambunan recently where around 70 trainees took part.
The TID programme, being held at district levels to unearth talents as well as to teach exponents the right basics from a young age, is one of SKA’s main development efforts.
It is also an opportunity for SKA to visit and observe the training conducted by karate branches or clubs under SKA.