Malaysia hits 36-gold target at SEA Games
NINH BINH, Vietnam: The Malaysian contingent achieved their 36-gold target at the 31st SEA Games yesterday - three days before the curtain comes down on the biennial Games.
The much-awaited gold came courtesy of the national karate squad in the men’s team kumite event when they beat Indonesia 3-0 in the final at the Sports Competition Centre.
The three points were delivered by R. Sharmendran, S. Prem Kumar and Sureeya Sankar Hari Sankar.
Indonesia took the silver medal while Vietnam and Thailand shared the bronze.
Earlier, at the Hanoi Sports Training Centre, national shooter Nurul Syasya Nadiah Mohd Arifin delivered the 35th gold medal when she created an upset by winning the women’s 10-metre (m) air pistol final in her maiden SEA Games appearance.
However, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu was not happy with the country’s position in the standings.
Malaysia bagged 36 golds, 40 silvers and 77 bronzes thus far and were sixth in the medal tally yesterday.
Ahmad Faizal said all parties, including the National Sports Council (NSC), athletes and national sports associations, should find a way to improve that in the future.
“Of course, all Malaysians are disappointed because we are not at a higher position.
“We should not be contented with our sixth position at the Games.
“So, I pray for the best and to use the experience gained here to improve our performance in future Games,” he said.
For the record, Malaysia has frequently managed to finish among the top five in the SEA Games, except for the one time they finished sixth at the 12th edition of the Games in Singapore in 1983.