Thursday March 11, 2010Penang to show kumite and kata exponents are both just as strongBy LOGANATH VELLOO Photos by RONNIE CHIN
north@thestar.com.my
THE Penang karate squad is out to shed the misconception that the state is only proficient in producing champions in the sport’s kata (non-combat) discipline.
Five out of the six kata exponents in the Malaysian squad for the 2009 SEA Games challenge in Vientiane last December were Penangites. The national kata team, spearheaded by veteran exponents Ku Jin Keat and Lim Lee Lee, are also based in Penang.
While it cannot be denied that Penang are the main producers of the top kata talents in the country, the Penang Karate Federation (PKF) want to prove their kumite (combat) athletes are to be taken seriously as well.
This is the way: Penang kumite coach Yousef Ataeai (right) demonstrating a kick to the trainees during a training session.
PKF president Choo Eng Hin pointed out that kumite exponents have been delivering the gold medals for Penang in the biennial Malaysia Games (Sukma) Under-23 karate competition.
“Except for the 2006 Games in Kedah, our kumite exponents have been winning consistently. I am confident that they will share the limelight with our kata exponents in Malacca (during the 2010 Sukma in June).
“To ensure that we do not lose out in quality to the other states, we have roped in a foreign kumite coach (Iranian Yousef Ataei). He has set up a good training programme to help whip our exponents into winning material,” said Choo.
Since the 2000 Sukma hosted by Penang, kumite had consistently delivered two gold medals for the state with the exception of the 2006 Kedah Games when they returned empty-handed.
At the last Sukma in Terengganu two years ago, karate contributed six gold medals for Penang, with two coming from the kumite competition.
“We roped in a young, talented foreign coach to ensure the ku-mite exponents receive the best pre-parations for Sukma and the National Junior Karate Championships.
“Our exponents will face a tough time against opponents who are currently in the national kumite back-up squad based in Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur. But I am confident that Penang will give the others a good run for their money,” said Choo.
For this year’s challenge, PKF are placing their hopes on Mohamad Redzuan (men’s below 60kg), Cheng Wei Han (men’s below 67kg) and Nur Eleena Anis Malik (women’s below 45kg) to win their respective categories.
The 23-year-old Redzuan, a late bloomer in karate, made others sit up and take notice when he went down fighting to 2007 SEA Games double gold medallist Lim Yoke Wai during the national championships’ below 60kg category final last year.
“Although I have been involved in karate for a long time, it was only recently that I pursued it seriously. I am looking forward to the Sukma in Malacca which will be my first and final outing in the Games due to my age,” said Redzuan.
The versatile Nur Eleena, who is a state junior champion in both karate and athletics, is seen as a gold medal prospect.
“I have improved a lot since I started training under Yousef. I am working hard in training to ensure my Sukma debut ends in success,” said the 19-year-old.
Penang’s challenge in the Malacca Sukma kata competition will be spearheaded by the 2009 SEA Games men’s individual silver medallist Tan Chee Sheng. The Penang kata squad is trained by the three-time SEA Games individual gold medallist Lee Lee.
发表于 21-3-2010 08:01 PM
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border=0 /> 你是说男的吗？？？我不清楚喔~~~~
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