INCHEON, Oct 2 — Karate exponent Lim Chee Wei made a memorable debut in the Incheon Asian Games by winning the men’s Kata gold medal at the Gyeyang Gymnasium here today to maintain Malaysia’s stronghold in the event.
Chee Wei, coached by 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games gold medal winner Ku Jin Keat, defeated Indonesia’s Fidelys Lolobua 3-2 in the final to give his coach a winning tribute.
“I am extremely delighted to have won the gold medal which was incidentally won by my coach.
“I had expected a medal but not the gold because this is my first participation and the competition was stiff,” said the 23-year-old from Penang who dedicated the gold medal to his coach Jin Keat, Lim Lee Lee and his former coach Patrick Lim.
Despite making his debut, Chee Wei put up an energetic performance that mesmerised the audience and convinced the judges to award him the gold.
He said Jin Keat and Lee Lee had guided him since he was 10 years old.
The win was certainly a high point for Jin Keat because his ‘boy’ had managed to keep the winning tradition very much alive.
“I had just been appointed as the coach of the elite team in February and I must thank the Malaysian Karate Federation and the National Sports Council for having faith in me.
“The win is proof that Chi Wei has the potential to go far in the sport because he is still young. I was 35 when I competed in my last Asian Games,” he said. — Bernama
