Syakilla on the right track for SEA Games despite defeat in Azerbaijan

PETALING JAYA: Karate ace Syakilla Salni Jefry Krisnan can afford a smile despite failing to win a medal at fourth Islamic Solidarity Games in Azerbaijan.

In the quarter-finals in Baku on Saturday, Syakilla went down 0-1 to Iran’s Taravat Khaksar in the women’s kumite below 55kg.

It was the reigning Asian Games champion’s first tournament since returning to action from an elbow surgery in February.

The 24-year-old believes she is now on the right track in her run-up to the Aug 19-30 Kuala Lumpur SEA Games.

“There are a lot of positives to take from this defeat. It’s good as I need to get used to the tournament feeling again. I’ll keep moving forward,” said Syakilla.

“I know where I stand now. I’m confident that I’ll come back even more stronger than before,” she added.

Syakilla, who claimed a historic silver for Malaysia in the kumite below 61kg at the World Championships in Germany in 2014, had to go through 12 weeks of rehabilitation before making a comeback in Baku.

“My focus now is to get back my momentum. I need to catch up on my endurance, tactics, technique and strength.

“I want to regain my confidence to challenge for a medal at the SEA Games. I won two gold medals (individual and team) at the last Games in Singapore. I hope to retain them.”

While many others would have considered giving up the sport after having to deal with various injuries and disappointments, Syakilla quelled any thoughts of quitting the sport.

“Karate is now an Olympic sport. It’s my dream to be an Olympian.

“I need to be strong to qualify for the Games (in Tokyo in 2020). No one will give you an Olympic ticket for free. I need to build on my ranking again. I’m more motivated than before,” she said.

Syakilla was ranked first in the kumite below 55kg of the World Karate Federation (WKF) Karate 1 Premier League Series last season. But due to her inactivity in the last few months, she has dropped to No. 67.