Wushu athletes eager to improve
KUCHING: Sarawak are hoping to fare better in the Kementerian Pelajaran Malaysia-Wushu Federation of Malaysia (KPMWFM) Wushu Championship in Kuala Lumpur from March 23 to 27.
Head coach Ling Ung Hee said the state are sending 22 athletes including five from the Sukma team.
“We will be banking on the Sukma athletes to deliver the medals while some younger athletes are also expected to win something,” she told thesundaypost during a training session at the Wushu Federation of Sarawak premises at Tabuan Laru yesterday.
Her gold medal hopes rest on Sukma athletes Elvic Bong Qian Zheng who won two golds and one silver at the last KPM meet in Penang last year, Lee Hui Xian who is now with the national wushu back-up squad at Bukit Jalil and Yong Arifah Khairul Kok who gave last year’s meet a miss due to her examination.
Another Sukma athlete Stephanie Ngu Chai Ern will be looking to make up for her disappointing show last year while an improvement is also expected from Mandy Lim Xin Hui.
Other members of the Sarawak team are Kee Jia Ke, Landy Liew Jia Yee, Eth Elbert Howell Liew Louis, Edison Wong Sing Yew, Anselym Owen Lo Yen Qi, Edwin Wong Sing Yew, Elvin Mackarther, Johan Wong Wei Xiang, Vaness Lim Song Yi, Andra Chan Zhi Zheng, Belda Chan Zhi Yi, Elizabeth Beckxia, Einstein Chin Yee Ge, Lai Yun Yi, Fong Chai Xin and Mo Shin Qi.
Assisting Ling is MSNS coach Lau Hui Wei and the other team officials are team manager Tiong Yong Hee and Sarawak Sukma head coach Yoong Thong Foong who will not only be assisting Ling but also as one of the selectors of the potential athletes for the national team to the World Junior Wushu Championship.
For the record, Sarawak finished in sixth place after capturing three gold, two silver and six bronze medals at Han Chiang High School Indoor Stadium in Penang last year.
We will be banking on the Sukma athletes to deliver the medals while some younger athletes are also expected to win something. — Ling Ung Hee, head coach