READY FOR ACTION: The state judokas and coaches pose for a photo call with Sarawak Judo Association president Francis Chan (centre) at their dojo, as they carry the state challenge to the National Judo Championship this weekend. Nyam is seen fifth from left.
KUCHING: Judo means “the gentle way” in Japanese, but there’s nothing gentle about what the state judo exponents or ‘judokas’ as they grapple with each other during practise sessions at their dojo located at Jalan Pending here.
The gymnasium reverberates with the drum roll of bodies slamming off the mats as state judokas prepare themselves for the coming National Judo Championship held in Penang this coming weekend (Dec 29-30).
An all-male team made up of 10 judokas from the Sarawak Judo Association will be competing at the competition. They are serious in gunning for medals at the national meet which has no age limit.
Speaking to The Borneo Post at the Sarawak Judo Association dojo, team coach Nyam Sze Yong revealed yesterday the trip is part of their preparation for Sukma XVI in Kuala Lumpur next year.
Nyam revealed that nine judokas from the team are new-comers competing at the tournament. The only judoka in the team who had participated at past tournament is Van Vaqur Cotter.
“Eight members of the team will travel there with us from here while another two more judokas will join up with us once we reach there. The other two state judokas are currently residing and training in Peninsular Malaysia,” he said.
Serving as the best exposure for them, Nyam added that it not just exposure trip for the judokas. They are competing to win the tournament as well.
“From this meet, we will also know the strengths and weaknesses of not only our team but also other teams,” he added.
Nyam is however expecting the members of the state shadow team for the next 2013 Sukma to do well too. Sarawak who won a gold medal in the event during the previous Sukma which was held in Kuala Lumpur 2011, have always been one of the top teams in judo at the history of the games.
“2008 National Junior champion Yee Yiong is from Sarawak and we have also produced a number of judokas who won medals for the state in Sukma throughout the years. I hope these fresh judokas with continue our state’s proud tradition in the sport at any national-level meets,” he said.
The Sarawak judo team is currently coached by experienced national judoka Anderson Venus.