Wushu Athletes Make Sarawak Proud
KUCHING – The 21st Malaysia Games (SUKMA XXI) kicked off with excitement and glory for Sarawak as the state’s wushu athletes secured two medals on the first day of the competition. Sarawakian athletes Carmen Chaw Jia Min and Tai Leong Fung delivered stellar performances, winning a silver and a bronze, respectively, in their categories.
Carmen Chaw Jia Min Secures Silver in Women’s Taijijian
Carmen Chaw Jia Min, a 17-year-old athlete from Kuching, showcased her dedication and skill in the women’s taijijian event. Competing against some of the nation’s top athletes, Carmen delivered a performance that earned her a well-deserved silver medal. This marks her first medal at SUKMA XXI, a significant achievement given that her main event is still to come.
“I did not expect to win this because my target is just to give my best and showcase what I’ve been training during the past year,” said Carmen. “My main event is actually tomorrow. And with this win today, I will keep this fighting spirit and try my best to win another medal for Sarawak.”
Carmen’s unexpected victory has not only boosted her confidence but has also raised hopes for her performance in the upcoming event. Her focus now shifts to maintaining the momentum and bringing home another medal for Sarawak.
Tai Leong Fung Earns Bronze in Men’s Nanquan
Meanwhile, in the men’s nanquan category, 20-year-old Tai Leong Fung proudly claimed the bronze medal for Sarawak. Tai’s journey to this podium finish has been one of dedication and intense training, including a two-month stint in China. Despite facing nerves and pressure, Tai delivered a commendable performance.
“I actually feel very nervous and stressed. Though I expected myself to get a better result, getting bronze is better than nothing. All in all, I am proud that I get to represent Sarawak again in my second SUKMA,” Tai shared.
Tai’s contribution is significant as it adds to Sarawak’s growing tally of medals, and his experience from training in China has evidently paid off. His bronze medal in this highly competitive event reflects his skill and determination to succeed on a national stage.
Wushu Event Highlights
The wushu competition, which runs from August 14 to 16 at the SSC Wushu Hall in Petra Jaya, has already seen fierce competition from athletes across Malaysia. In the women’s taijijian event, Selangor took home the gold, followed by Sarawak (silver) and the Federal Territory (bronze).
In the men’s nanquan event, Melaka clinched the gold medal, with Perak securing silver and Sarawak proudly taking bronze. The competition continues to heat up as more athletes compete for glory in various categories, with the excitement set to continue over the next two days.
Wushu Medal Tally as of Day One
- Women’s Taijijian:
- Gold: Selangor
- Silver: Sarawak (Carmen Chaw Jia Min)
- Bronze: Federal Territory
- Men’s Nanquan:
- Gold: Melaka
- Silver: Perak
- Bronze: Sarawak (Tai Leong Fung)
- Women’s Nanquan:
- Gold: Melaka
- Silver: Johor
- Bronze: Penang
Looking Ahead: More Medals on the Horizon
As the wushu competition progresses, all eyes will be on Sarawak’s athletes, particularly on Carmen Chaw Jia Min, who will be competing in her main event tomorrow. With the momentum of her silver medal win today, there is a strong belief that she could add another medal to Sarawak’s tally.
Sarawak’s performance in SUKMA XXI so far has been promising, and the state’s athletes continue to demonstrate their prowess across various sports. The support and pride from the home crowd in Kuching are sure to motivate these athletes to give their best performances in the days to come.
As the Games unfold, Sarawak hopes to climb higher on the medal tally, with athletes like Carmen and Tai leading the charge. Their achievements today are just the beginning of what could be a memorable SUKMA for Sarawak.