Sabah karatekas win Asean Uni Games bronzes
KOTA KINABALU: Pressy Misty Philip and Gwendolyn Gimus delivered bronze medals for the national contingent in the just concluded 19th ASEAN University Games (AUG) in Naypyidaw, Myanmar.
The country’s top karateka Pressy won two bronzes - the first from the women’s Individual Kumite -61kg before adding a second from the Kumite Team event along with Gwendolyn.
The 19-year-old settled for the bronze after losing to Indonesian exponent Tri Winarni in the semi-finals.
In the Kumite Team event, Pressy and Gwendolyn combined with Syakilla Salni and Priya Shankari to secure the bronze.
The national quartet lost their semifinal bouts to Thailand, who went on to win the gold after beating Vietnam in the final.
Despite missing out on a top podium finish, Pressy was still pleased to win medals on her debut in the AUG.
“It was my last tournament of the year and while I was hoping for a better result, a bronze is not too bad on my AUG debut,” she said yesterday.
Pressy went on to say that she would next focus on the national selection trials in Kuala Lumpur on December 22.
“I hope to put up a good performance...it would be great if I am selected for the national team.
“After that I will return home and take a short break before continuing with my training early next year,” said Pressy who was silver medallist both in the SEA Games 2017 and 17th AKF Cadet, Junior & Under-21 Championships 2018.
For the record, the Malaysian contingent took part in 16 sports in the biennial AUG where they finished third with 37 golds, 43 silvers and 49 bronzes.
Thailand emerged as overall champions with 62 golds, 52 silvers and 38 bronzes followed by Indonesia with 44 golds, 39 silvers and 30 bronzes.