James Ting
KUCHING: Six members of the Sarawak Sukma XV wushu squad will undergo 23 days of training cum exposure stint in Shanxi, China in the build-up to the Games.
According to Wushu, Lion and Dragon Dance Federation of Sarawak (WFS) secretary James Ting, the exponents are all gold medals prospects.
“The state MSNS China coach Huang Shaoxiong will accompany the exponents to Shanxi at the end of May where they will train together with some of the best wushu exponents there,” Ting told the Borneo Post.
He added that the exponents are picked by Huang, endorsed by WFS and the trip will be funded by the state sports council (MSNS).
However, he declined to name the six exponents as it might cause a psychological effect on their attitude to training. It was understood that all the members of the state squad are training very hard in the hope of getting selected for the China stint.
“We are now choosing Shanxi because they have some of China’s best wushu exponents,” revealed Ting.
Meanwhile, Ting said the Sukma XV squad has been finalised with six men and six women exponents following the full transfer of Kelly Shu from SMK St Elisabeth, Sibu to SMK Kuching High here.
Leading the men’s challenge is national exponent Gjeblehem Bong while others are Bryan Sony Lah, Andy Chan, Jarvis Lau, Liew Lik Kee, Daniel Sim and Clement Yeo (reserve).
Another national exponent Kimberly Goh will spearhead the women’s challenge which includes Kelly Shu, Amelia Su, Audrey Chan, Ho Jong Xian, Bong Yik Ching and Lee Ling (reserve).
Managing the team is William Kong who is assisted by Tan Joo Chua while the coaches are Zhong Xiao from China, Ling Ung Hee and Wong Hua Ying.
“The preparations for the Pahang Sukma in July are going on well and the exponents are training daily under the China and local coaches at the MSNS Wushu Elite Centre at Jalan Kung Phin,” said Ting.
In fact, the state exponents had been training since the end of Sukma XIII in Melaka two years ago as WFS had implemented a very systematic and professional development programme.
“We are even planning and preparing for Sukma 2014 in Perlis and Sukma 2016 where we are expected to be the host,” said Ting.