KUALA LUMPUR: National wushu champion Tan Cheong Min has set ambitious goals for 2025, with a strong focus on qualifying for the prestigious Wushu World Championships and the Thailand SEA Games. The Melaka-born athlete, renowned for her skills in taolu (individual routine), is determined to push her limits and bring more accolades to Malaysia.
Although Cheong Min is confident in her ability, she acknowledges the challenges ahead. The competition format is set to change next year, meaning she’ll need to adjust her training strategies to keep up with new rules and difficulties. As a result, she is committed to putting in even more effort to ensure she remains competitive.
“There are some amendments or improvements regarding the marks and the difficulties, but they have not announced it yet. So, not only for me but my team is also making changes in our training to adjust according to the new rules,” Cheong Min explained. “I will train harder for the selection, and hopefully qualify for the tournaments so I can bring back medals for Malaysia.”
Reflecting on her achievements in 2024, the 26-year-old athlete expressed pride in her successful year. She clinched several prestigious titles, including a gold medal in the nandao (Southern broadsword) event at the Asian Wushu Championship in Macau and another gold in the Taolu World Cup with her nangun (Southern staff) performance.
Cheong Min attributes her success not just to her hard work but also to the unwavering support from her coach, teammates, and family. She emphasized that their encouragement has been crucial to her progress, enabling her to meet her key performance indicators (KPI) for the year.
“So far, I am very satisfied with my performance because I have hit my KPI. I would like to thank my teammates, my coach, and the management who are very supportive. Without them, I think maybe I can’t even fight,” she added with gratitude.
As the new year approaches, Tan Cheong Min is poised to tackle the challenges ahead with the same dedication and determination that has defined her career so far, aiming for victory on the world stage.