Time for Sharmendran to kick into high gear for Tokyo ticket

PETALING JAYA: National karate exponent R. Sharmendran has more than one reason to be happy.

The long-awaited training session will finally start on June 1 and the Olympic qualifying tournament, scheduled in June, has been deferred to next year – giving him ample time to fight for a ticket to next year’s Olympic Games in Tokyo.

On Wednesday, the World Karate Federation (WKF) have decided to postpone the World Olympic Qualification Tournament in Paris from June 26-28 to June next year. The Tokyo Games, initially planned for July this year, have been moved to July 23-Aug 8 next year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“I had expected this. Usually, the qualifiers will be closer to the Olympics date. This is good news for us because we will have more time to plan and train,” said Sharmendran.

The 28-year-old said there was much catching up to do when training resumes in Bukit Jalil.

The Government has given the thumbs up for the Road to Tokyo athletes, including the karate exponents to undergo centralised training and the National Sports Council (NSC) have come up with strict guidelines.

“The details are still sketchy at the moment and we’re waiting for more details on the training plans but I’m happy to be back. It will be tough for sure to be inside the sports complex for one month but I think I can handle it,” said Sharmendran.

“After all, I’ve experienced a similar situation before when I returned from Latvia in March. I was quarantined for 10 days. It was horrible as I had to be inside the room all the time and was only allowed to go to the corridor to pick up food.

“At the complex, we’ll be occupied with training, so it’s okay.”

The Philippines SEA Games 75kg gold medallist, however, said he would not push himself too hard although he’s excited to return to training.

“Two months of home training is not ideal.

“I had to ask my sister to hold targets at home and I could not do much to maintain my physique,” he said.

“So, I don’t plan to rush into training and risk getting injured. It has to be gradual training. In a way, it’s sad that we have to start all over again.

“I hope the situation will slowly improve and eventually, we get to compete as well,” he added.