Sibu exponents victorious in Hong Kong wushu meet

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RISING STARS: Angela (left) and Rachel after competing in the qiangshu event at the Hong Kong Wushu International Championship.

SIBU: Wushu exponents from the Sibu Martial Arts (Quanshu) Association (SMAA) have returned from the recent 10th Hong Kong Wushu International Championship with their heads held high.

The team amassed a total of 48 gold, 14 silver and seven bronze to cap a fine and an encouraging performance.

Team manager Yung Dah Looh and coach Gilbert Wong each garnered four gold while the top performer from the team who is also the team leader, Lau Kiing Fu, bagged six gold.

Others who hit the gold mine include Collin Shieu with five, assistant coach Edmond Wong and Frankie Hii with four; Kelvin Hii, Francis Wong, Chia Hui Ming with three each and Kevin Wong, Wong Hie Sing, Nicholas Kho and Angela Lim with two gold each.

Rachel Hii, who failed to break the golden duck, took home two silver and two bronze.

Yung, who is also SMAA chief coach, was full of praise for his exponents saying they displayed true grit, determination and commitment to achieve such an astounding success.

‘Initially, we fear that the players might not be able to perform to expectations. Slowly as the match progressed and with the gold medals pouring in, that also gave us the confidence that we could perform better,” he told The Borneo Post.

Yung, himself a veteran martial artist, collected gold in the traditional martial art, traditional long and short weapon and 42-style taijiquan while Gilbert’s gold came from jianshu, traditional martial art, traditional long weapon and chenstyle taijiquan.

The gold from Kiing Fu were delivered in the optional changquan, optional jianshu, optional qiangshu, chenstyle taijiquan, barehand deal and group weapon.

“On paper it looks easy but in reality we are competing against some 10,000 wushu exponents from throughout the world competing for honours in a total of 63 events. Many of them are also seasoned exponents and beating them certainly required all the guts.”

Yung said his exponents managed to put up a brave front as they displayed their skills and prowess before sweeping up a stable of gold medals.

Nevertheless, Yung described the trip as very educational and motivational that gave his exponents a perfect exposure on what wushu sport was all about.

“It was also an opportunity for us to get acquainted with the wushu exponents from other parts of the world and to share each other cultures,” he said.

Yung was also happy with the overall medal collections as compared to the last trip when they managed to garner only 28 gold, 20 silver and two bronze.

“This time round, we collected an overall medal tally of 71 which should be regarded as a resounding success.”

He said more such trips would be organised for his loyal and faithful exponents.