Round one to Lu yi
Penangite beats Sarawakian Audrey to win gold in taiji
PENANG’S Chan Lu Yi (pic) has come out triumphant in wushu’s “battle of taiji princesses” with arch-rival Audrey Chan Yee Jo of Sarawak.
The 19-year-old Lu Yi retained her taijiquan gold medal after chalking up 9.64 points with a near-faultless display at the SJK (C) Chung Hua No. 3 in Kuching yesterday.
Audrey took silver with 9.61 points and Sydney Chin Sy Xuan of Malacca (9.60) the bronze.
Lu Yi and Audrey, who are understudies to national wushu exponent Ng Shin Yii, had bagged a title each at the Perlis Sukma two years ago.
Lu Yi is now aiming to complete a taiji grand double by denying Audrey the taijijian (sword) title defence today.
“I think I performed well today. It wasn’t perfect ... but I’m quite satisfied,” said Lu Yi.
“Audrey and I are at about the same level. So, I’m happy to have overcome her challenge once more to defend my gold medal.
“I’m hoping to perform just as well in the taijijian.”
Lu Yi has been making waves in international meets after being promoted to the national senior team last year.
She won a silver (compulsory taijiquan) and a bronze (taijiquan) in her SEA Games debut in Singapore in June before winning the compulsory taijiquan at the World Championships in Jakarta in November.
Lu Yi has the potential to follow in the footsteps of three-time world champion Chai Fong Ying, but she has hinted that she may retire in 2018 to pursue her studies in medicine.
“I’m studying Foundation in Science at the IMU (International Medical University) in Bukit Jalil.
“For now, I can still cope with both studies and training, but I doubt I can do the same when I begin to pursue my career in medicine,” she explained.
“As much as I love wushu, it’s my life-long goal to become a doctor. I may defer my enrolment until 2018 as I hope to compete in at least one Asian Games.”
Another promising national exponent, Aggie Cheah, made it a double for Penang in the women’s changquan (long fist) event.
Sarawak, as expected, stamped their mark by bagging two titles through Muhd Asri Abdul Wahab (men’s taijiquan) and Clement Ting (men’s changquan).
Malacca’s Tan Cheong Min was in a class of her own as she won the women’s nanquan (southern fist) to get her double treble bid off to a convincing start.