PETALING JAYA, May 27 — The last time Malaysian exponents tasted gold at the SEA Games was through Che Chew Chan after she edged Vietnam’s Nguyen Ha Thi 3-2 in the final at Booyong Gymnasium 2009 in Laos.

And now with Myanmar SEA Games silver medallist Ryan Chong out of the picture having retired, the Games squad will see new faces.

Team manager Anuar Idris said this year — under Taekwondo Malaysia (TM) — the exponents are ready to give their best.

“TM will send a rejuvenated squad which we believe is strong and determined to win,” he said.

“Only three from the 2013 squad are in the present team. They are P. Thinagaran Naidu, T. Shakila Dharshini and Nur Dhia Liyana Shaharuddin.

“Most of them are making their debut and are eager for success,” he said.

The kyorugi team are just back from South Korea after a training stint from May 2 to 22. While the pomsae team will be in Vietnam from today to June 6.

Anuar said TM declined to set any medal target but is optimistic the exponents will contribute the 56 per cent medal target set by Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin.

Anuar said TM is currently working to bring the sport back to its glory days.

“We used to be one of the sports that brought home a lot of medals. The best achievement was during the 1989 Games in Kuala Lumpur where Malaysia bagged a total of 10 golds and five bronze medals.”

On current medal prospects, Anuar said all 10 fighters were the best.

“We are sending our best to Singapore. Each of them are capable of a good performance.

“Khir Amir Salam got a taste of glory before and we are banking on him to repeat that,” he said.

Last year, Khir Amir bagged a gold, silver and bronze medal during the Hong Kong Open, Nepal Open and the Gyeongju Korea Open International Championship, respectively.

Meanwhile Shakila is upbeat for her first medal at the Games, irregardless of its colour.

“This is my second time round having failed to deliver in Myanmar.

“She, however, cautioned that Singapore, Thailand and the Philipines would be strong opponents.

From the last 14 Games, Malaysian exponents bagged a total of 33 gold, 30 silver and 64 bronze medals since the 1987 series in Jakarta.