MALAYSIA UPDATED. It has been some time, but Malaysia may finally be ready to start bringing home the medals from international taekwondo meets again.
National taekwondo head coach Moi Chee Keong believes that Malaysia are ready to do so, starting with the 27th SEA Games in Myanmar next month.
Chee Keong has set a target of one gold, one silver and three bronzes for his team as he believes his young fighters can spring a surprise in Naypyitaw.
National taekwondo head coach Moi Chee Keong believes that Malaysia are ready to do so, starting with the 27th SEA Games in Myanmar next month.
Chee Keong has set a target of one gold, one silver and three bronzes for his team as he believes his young fighters can spring a surprise in Naypyitaw.
At the last SEA Games in Palembang, Malaysia failed to deliver even one gold – a first for the Malaysian taekwondo team.
Since taekwondo was accepted into the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Malaysia have never failed to send at least one representative for the sport. However, the 2012 London Olympics were a big disappointment as Ryan Chong Wy Lunn came close but failed to qualify.
“We are targeting to send our exponents to next year’s Asian Games and hopefully they will produce results. We will also be looking towards sending two exponents to the 2016 Olympics in Rio,” said Chee Keong.
With many of the senior exponents, like former 2005 Manila SEA Games gold medallist Rusfredey Tokan Petrus retiring last year, Chee Keong has been forced to search for new faces and leaders to take over.
Now, he believes they are ready to be a force to be reckoned with once again.
“We have a lot of new faces. Captain Ryan Chong, being the oldest and most experienced in the group, now has the responsibilty of leading this young team. Having been put together only in March, this new team was assembled through scoring points in the national championships,” said Chee Keong, who has coached the national team for seven years.
This fresh-faced national team recently made a trip to South Korea for a training stint which proved to be an eye-opener.
“The new recruits saw for themselves the level that is required of them. Being the founder of this martial art, South Korea is the best place to provide exposure for our national fighters. I believe the foundation of Malaysia’s taekwondo is growing stronger and we will soon be able to compete internationally once again,” said Chee Keong.
The 25-year-old Ryan is the focal point for taekwondo to bring home a gold medal. His only SEA Games medal was the silver at the 2007 Korat SEA Games.
However, Ryan revealed that despite the high expectations, his personal aim is to enter the final and just do his best. Being the captain, he certainly will have to lead by example.
“I will have to try and manage their expectations going into the SEA Games. I will get behind my team-mates and explain to them that the environment is certainly different compared to other competitions. They will have to adapt as much as possible and find their feet to deliver the goods in Myanmar,” said Ryan.
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