MALAYSIA MARCH ON
Hosts continue to harvest gold despite bus mishap
FADHLI ISHAK fadhli.ishak@nst.com.my
AN accident spoiled the early mood but it did not stop national athletes from racking up the medals — eight gold, five silver and five bronze — at the Kuala Lumpur Sea Games (KL2017) yesterday.
The day started on a gloomy note as two buses carrying squash players from their hotels in Putrajaya to their competition venue collided, causing minor injuries to a number of players.
Malaysian Sea Games Organising Committee (MASOC) were forced to cancel the morning session as the players, who were from Myanmar, Philippines and Thailand, received treatment for their injuries at the National Sports Institute.
The Indonesian sepak takraw squad, whose women’s team walked out of their inter-regu match against Malaysia on Sunday in protest against the refereeing, were cleared to continue playing in the tournament by the Asian Sepak Takraw Federation. The Indonesian women’s coach, however, is set to face disciplinary action.
On a positive note, sprint specialist Harrif Saleh successfully defended his gold medal in the men’s road cycling criterium, with brother Zamri clinching the bronze.
The wushu squad, who won three gold on Sunday, added another gold to their haul through Yeap Wai Kin who emerged victorious in the men’s qianshu. It was Wai Kin’s second gold of the tournament having earlier won the jianshu event.
The national recurve archers were in fine form as they swept a prestigious double in the men’s and women’s team events. It was the men’s fourth consecutive team gold since 2011.
Double trap shooter Benjamin Khor led a memorable 1-2 finish for Malaysia in the event together with Abraham Eng. It was the first time the event has been included in the Sea Games since 2007.
The highly experienced Alex Liew and partner Syafiq Ridhwan Abd Malek pipped teammates Adrian Ang-Rafiq Ismail to the tenpin bowling men’s doubles title. It is Alex’s seventh Sea Games gold since 2001.
Sarawakian Welson Sim was in record breaking form in the pool and defended his men’s 400m freestyle gold in a new games record time.
Malaysia’s day ended on a happy note when the women’s artistic gymnastic team won the gold.
Athletics kicks off today with eight gold on offer at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil, including the women’s 100m, men’s 400m hurdles and discus events.
Karate, wushu and swimming will also be the focus of attention with each sport offering six gold today.