PROUD MOMENT: Low (left) with Tiong display their hard fought medals to the press.
SIBU: Taekwondo exponents Tiong Hung Teng and Low Kwong Yew arrived back home here from Pahang on cloud nine.
Tiong, 19 bagged a gold medal in the men’s middleweight category while Low, 16 took a bronze in the men’s welterweight category in the on-going Sukma.
The duo was among three taekwondo exponents from here in the state’s Sukma taekwondo team.
The other gold medalists are Marlisa Tee in the women’s welter category, Dayang Farhanah (women’s flyweight) and Shirley Kua (women’s heavyweight), silver medalists Marena Tee (women’s middleweight), Tey Yen Khai (men’s heavyweight) and Phung Jin Wen (women’s featherweight).
Sarawak emerged overall champion in taekwondo for the first time in 15 years when they convincingly topped the medal table with an unexpected haul of four gold, two silver and two bronze medals.
In second place was Terengganu with four gold, one silver and two bronze, followed by Selangor with three gold, two silver and three bronze.
Deputy President of Sarawak Taekwondo Association (STA) Dato Lau Keung Chai said, “Indeed, it has been a long time that Sarawak has not been able to top the medals table in taekwondo event. I am sure all the officials and players will cherish this achievement.”
Lau, who is also the advisor of Rejang Taekwondo Club (RTC), flew to Kuantan to supervise and give morale support and encouragement to the state’s players.
He said STA only targeted only two gold medals and so the achievement was beyond expectation.
Lau added that Taekwondo Malaysia President Tunku Imran, STA advisor Tan Sri William Mawan and Sarawak Sukma chef-de-mission Datuk Lee Kim Shin were those who congratulated the state team for their achievement.
“All the officials are very happy with the fantastic results and that is further proof that Sarawak is fast gaining ground to recover its long-lost reputation as the taekwondo powerhouse in the country.”
In fact, Lau disclosed that Sarawak could have secured at least another sure gold from the women’s middleweight.
“Unfortunately, the name of our exponent was somehow missing from the final entry list and when we lodged the complaint, the organizer said it was too late to reinstate her name. It was a gold medal surely robbed from her,’ he said.
The State Sports Council promised to give RM5,000 for a gold medal while a silver medal is worth RM750 and a bronze is worth RM500.