BRONZE FAREWELL
Wai Kin finishes third in men’s daoshugunshu at his last Sea Games
WUSHU exponent Yeap Wai Kin signed off from the Hanoi Sea Games with a surprise bronze medal yesterday in what is likely to be his final appearance at the biennial event.
Wai Kin, 29, finished third in the men’s daoshu-gunshu event at the Cau Giay Gymnasium on a combined 19.26 total on the final day of the wushu competition.
Indonesia’s Seraf Naro Siregar clinched the gold with 19.42 points, while Singapore's Jowen Lim claimed the silver on 19.38.
Clement Ting, who won the changquan title on Friday, settled for ninth on 9.49.
It was an emotional moment for Wai Kin, who is planning to retire soon.
“I made a mistake with my jump and landing during the daoshu event and had points deducted,” said Wai Kin who has been a staple in the national team over the past decade.
“(Subsequently) I was in eighth place going into the gunshu event. I did not expect to challenge for the medals.
“My goal was only to perform well and avoid regrets as I may not be around for future Games. “I really did not expect the bronze today, so to finish on the podium is definitely an emotional moment for me. I do not know whether I will be around for the next edition.
“I have already started planning for retirement.”
Wai Kin, who won two gold at the 2017 Kuala Lumpur edition, believes the younger exponents are now ready to take over from the seniors.
“Hanoi is my sixth Sea Games after my debut in the 2009 Vientiane edition,” said the Penang-born.
“The sport will unlikely be part of next year’s Cambodia edition, so if I want another Sea Games, I will have to wait for the 2025 edition in Thailand.
“Our juniors have been very impressive here. I think people like Clement are now ready to step up.
The national wushu squad thus ended their campaign with two gold, one silver and two bronze medals.
Clement and Tan Zhi Yan contributed the two titles for Malaysia.