Short stint with seniors fires up bryan for worlds
KUALA LUMPUR: Melaka exponent Bryan Ti is hoping a short training stint with the seniors will translate into a golden outing for Malaysia in the World Junior Wushu Championships starting on Monday in Tangerang, Indonesia.
Bryan will make his second appearance in the world junior meet. In the last edition held in Brasilia, Brazil in 2018, Bryan bagged gold in the nanquan and two bronze in nandao and nangun in the boys’ 13-15 age category.
Bryan, now 18, will feature in four events – nanquan, nandao, nangun and duilian.
Bryan earned his shot at glory in the world meet after winning gold in nanquan for his state in the Malaysia Games (Sukma) in Kuala Lumpur in September.
“I’ve not featured in any international competitions for the last three years but I hope I can win more than one gold this time,” said Bryan.
“I’ve been training with the national team for almost two weeks and this has boosted my confidence for another good outing. My main focus is the nanquan and nangun events. They are my favourite events and I believe I can win gold in either one.”
Wushu Federation of Malaysia president Datuk Chong Kim Fatt is hoping for the current team to repeat their outstanding performance in Brasilia.
“We won seven golds, five silvers and nine bronzes in the 2018 edition,” said Kim Fatt after the flag handing ceremony on Thursday.
“It was our best ever outing at the world junior championships. There was no competition in 2020 because of the Covid-19 pandemic but our athletes have continued to train for the last one year, so I believe they are well prepared.
“Almost all our exponents are new but we believe they are determined to bring glory to the country.
“Bryan is one of our potential exponents and I am confident he will perform well in Tangerang,” he said.
Malaysia will be represented by 16 athletes - 12 in taolu (weapons and non sparring) and four in sanda (sparring) events in the world junior meet.