MWF eye two gold medals in Shanghai
Malaysian Wushu Federation (MWF) are confident that former world champion Mao Yaqi will inspire the national squad to at least two gold medals in next month’s World Championships in Shanghai.
Yaqi, a nanquan specialist from China, is on a six-month contract to coach the national team.
The 34-year-old had guarded the national squad to two titles at the 2011 Indonesia Sea Games.
Speaking after the flag-handing ceremony yesterday, MWF president Datuk Chong Kim Fatt said: “Firstly, I need to thank the Sports Ministry and the NSC (National Sports Council) for giving us the clearance to bring Yaqi over.
“As we know, she is a very experienced exponent who is also a former world champion.
“I first noticed her in 2011 and I am happy that she has come on board to help boost our squad.
“We will be in Fuzhou, China, for a 21-day training stint before we head to Shanghai for the tournament proper (Oct 17-24).
“Once in China, we will intensify our training and make sure our exponents sharpen their routines.
“In wushu, the slightest of points can make a whole lot of difference.
“Given the strength of our squad this year, we are targeting at least two gold in taolu."
At the previous edition in Kazan, Russia, two years ago, Malaysia won two titles through Wong Weng Son (men’s jianshu) and the women's trio of Phoon Eyin, Loh Ying Ting and Tan Cheong Min in the duel event (duilian).
As for sanda (combat), Kim Fatt added: “We are not targeting a medal at this world meet because we only started preparing for this event last year.
“However, our target is to make an impact at the 2022 Asian Games in China."
A total of eight exponents have been listed for taolu, and four for sanda.
THE SQUAD — Taolu: Wong Weng Son, Clement Ting, Chuah Shangyang, Loh Choon How (men), Phoon Eyin, Loh Ying Ting, Tan Cheong Min, Sydney Chin (women);
Sanda: Teh Chee Chong, Lee Wei Loong, Kelvin Teng, Chong Jian Hwa (men).