Sabah karatekas eyeing one gold in Thai Open

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Karate Association (SKA) has set a one-gold target in the Thailand Open Karate Championship in Huamark Indoor Stadium, Bangkok from July 20-22.

Kuala Lumpur SEA Games silver medallist Pressy Misty Philip will lead the squad of 19 athletes, most of whom are preparing for the Malaysia Games (Sukma) 2018.

Medal target apart, head of delegation-cum-team manager Julian Chin revealed the most important aspect of participating in the championship was to give international exposure to the athletes and coaches.

“The target is one gold medal because it is not an easy tournament. A lot of national athletes will compete for podium finishes as a gold will come with prize money of USD500, silver USD300 and bronze USD200.

“A lot of international athletes too are coming in preparation for the Asian Games in Jakarta in August.

“As for us, we want to expose our athletes and for them to learn so that the coaches can re-boot and re-strategise their programmes for the betterment of the sport in Sabah,” he texted yesterday.

Having said that, Julian expressed his gratitude to the Youth and Sports Ministry and Sabah Sports Council for their suppport of the squad going for overseas competition.

Meanwhile, Julian, who is also SKA secretary general, said Sabah would be sending 10 male and nine female karatekas.

The male karatekas competing are Cleverence Carlos (Individual/Team Kata Senior), Elreno Zeru (Ind./Team Kata Senior), Stanley Dulian (Kumite -55kg/Team Kumite), Mcroyce Donovan Dagul (Kumite -67kg/Team Kumite), Ar Nickazmie Ahmad (Kumite -75kg/ Team Kumite), Arthuric Gedian Jiwin (Kumite -84kg/Team Kumite), Kellyment Kahan (Kumite +84kg/Team Kumite), Al Nasrin Faisal (Kumite -60kg/Team Kumite), Jasvin Jase (Ind. Kata Junior/ Team Kata Senior) and Muhammad Irfan Shah Mohd Fadli Shah (U-12 Ind. Kata).

Pressy will the athlete to watch in the women’s category where she will compete in the Kumite -68kg and Team Kumite events.

She will be joined by Vellcarollyne Agustine (Ind. Kata/Team Kata Senior), Alexandra Jackla Dakius (Ind. Kata/ Team Kata Senior), Celine Grace Aloysius Embon (Kumite +68kg/Team Kumite), Cairola Cheverry Wong Yee Ying (Kumite -50kg/Team Kumite), Maychelle Roger Mool (Kumite -61kg/Team Kumite), Lovelly Anne Roberth (Cadet Ind. Kata/ Kumite -47kg), Esther Bell Siaw Tze Ling (Junior Ind. Kata/Team Kata Senior) and Bibi Aisyah (U-12 Ind. Kata).

The coaches for Sabah team are Audrey Japyus, Farlin Veroney Frederick, Mustafa Elsayed Mohammad Elsnbawy and Grace Tiwon.

The squad will leave for Thailand today.