KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 5 ― The national wushu squad bagged a bronze on the final day of the 12th World Wushu Championships at the Kuala Lumpur Badminton Stadium in Cheras here today.
The bronze was won by Lee Wei Loong in the men’s 52kg category Sanda or Sanshou (combat), ending an eight-year medal draught in the event for Malaysia.
The gold was won by Benjie Rivera from the Philippines who defeated Hoang Hong Tu from Vietnam in the final. Santosh Kumar of India shared the bronze.
The last time Malaysia won a medal in the event was in the 2005 edition in Hanoi through Lew Chee Wai in the men’s 75kg category.
“I feel I can go further in this event because I had only a short time to prepare for this championship. I am a little disappointed at not being able to take on two-time world champion Rivera in the final,” said the 25-year-old, who bore the cost of training over eight months in Bandung, Indonesia himself.
In this edition, Malaysia finished in third place overall with four gold, five silver, and five bronze which was their best outing ever, bettering the four gold, two silver and four bronze they won at the Hanoi meet in 2005.
“Overall, Malaysia’s performance in this edition was the best. All the exponents in the Taolu (arts) individual categories performed to expectations.
“I am also proud we managed to win a medal in the Sanshou. Based on our performance here, I am confident our wushu squad will do well at the Myanmar SEA Games next month,” said chief coach Yoong Thong Foong. ― Bernama
