Taekwondo fancies SEA Games medal chances in heavier weight categories

PETALING JAYA: Taekwondo Malaysia (TM) are setting their plans in motion for a golden outing in the Philippines SEA Games in December.

TM technical director R. Dhanaraj said they were looking at competing in the heavier weight class categories to have a better chance of winning medals.

Malaysia have previously focused on competing at the lower weight categories.

“Countries like Thailand, Philippines and Indonesia are dominant in the lighter weight categories and some of their athletes have high world rankings,” said Dhanaraj.

“We’re looking at expanding the pool for our athletes especially in the heavier weight class. We are allowed to compete in five events in both the men and women events.”

The National Sports Council (NSC) have agreed to fund five exponents based on their own criteria.

“But we’re willing to fund more athletes in the national team, who meet our criteria.

“We want to send a big team to the Philippines.”

Dhanaraj said the national team’s new Kyorugi coach Kim Hyeongseob has selected 22 national trainees and three of them would be selected for the World Grand Slam China Series on April 26.

The tournament also offers qualifying points for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Hyeong-seob is the replacement for his compatriot Kim Hong-Gon, who had returned home last year. The 26-year-old is the second South Korean coach in the national setup.

Poomsae coach Jin Jun-Beom has been in the national set-up from last year.

Malaysia’s 16-year medal drought in taekwondo ended at last year’s Indonesia Asian Games when Sara Yap Khim Wen won the bronze medal in the women’s poomsae individual.