Tall order for karate squad to perform in Astana
PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian karate squad hoping to shine at the Kuala Lumpur SEA Games will be put to an early test this weekend.
The Malaysian exponents, who are looking for at least six golds to win the overall champions title at the KL Games, will compete in the four-day Asian Karate Federation (AKF) Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan, from tomorrow.
The Malaysia Karate Federation (Makaf ) will use the Asian meet to gauge their exponents’ readiness to deliver the goods at next month’s SEA Games.
Except for 2014 Incheon Asian Games bronze medallist Senthil Kumaran, the rest will compete in the same individual events that they’ve been listed for the SEA Games.
Senthil is only listed for the men’s team kumite so as to give him more time to recover from an ankle injury sustained in training recently.
Makaf secretary Vincent Chen said the exponents’ performance at the Asian meet would determine Malaysia’s chances at the SEA Games.
“Our exponents have already undergone intensive training leading up to the Asian meet and if any of them can beat the rest of Asia this weekend, there is no reason not to expect them to win the gold at the SEA Games.
“They will probably be drawn against some of South-East Asian rivals and I’ve told them that they must aim to win their bouts for some psychological advantage before the SEA Games.
“I expect some medals at the Asian meet. Hopefully, we can get a gold in the senior ranks this time,” said Vincent.
The three Podium Programme exponents – Shree Sharmini Segaran ( women’s kumite below 50kg), Syakilla Salny Jefry Krishnan (women’s kumite below 55kg) and Lim Chee Wei (men’s individual kata) – will carry the challenge of reaching the medal rounds in the Asian meet.
Syakilla and Chee Wei won gold medals while Shree Sharmini earned a bronze in the 2014 Asiad in Incheon.
Malaysia have not won gold in the senior ranks since the 2011 edition in Guangzhou, China, when Leong Tze Wai and Mohd Hatta Mahamut triumphed in the men’s kata individual and men’s kumite below 84kg.
In Yokohama two years ago, Malaysia finished with one silver and five bronzes.