SINGAPORE, June 14 — National back-up squad taekwondo exponent Khir Amir Salam Mohd Sulaiman’s SEA Games campaign ended after just five seconds on the mat when he had to withdraw from his bout due to a knee injury when competing in the men’s Under 60kg category here today.
The 17-year-old exponent who received a vicious kick on his left knee during the bout against Thailand’s Peerathep Sila-On, had to withdraw from the competition at the Singapore Convention and Exhibition Centre after two attempts to attack his opponent ended in him falling over.
National taekwondo head coach Moi Chee Keong said the injury was very unfortunate since Khir Amir was a gold medal prospect.
Another National exponent P. Thinagaran managed to win a bronze medal in the men’s 68kg category. Taekwondo ended their campaign at the 28th SEA Games here with two silver and three bronze medals.
Meanwhile, the women’s rhythmic gymnastics team won a silver medal in the All Around event at the Bishan Sports Hall through Chai Xin Nong, Chan Mei Thung, Loo Shiow Yng, Thew Yue Jia, Yap Qian Ling Yap and Yap Sin Lu after collecting 27.400 points from the ribbon, clubs and hoops.
Singapore clinched the gold medal with 27.700 points while Thailand won the bronze medal on 22.150 points.
In badminton at the Singapore Indoor Stadium, Chong Wei Feng and Mohamad Arif Ab Latif moved into the semifinals of the men’s singles after beating Christie Jonatan (Indonesia) 20-22, 21-19, 21-18 and Boonsak Ponsana (Thailand) 22-20, 19-21, 21-19 respectively in their quarterfinal matches here today.
In the women’s singles Goh Jin Wei also moved into the semifinals after beating Nichaon Jindapon from Thailand 21-16, 23-21 in straight sets to join women’s doubles pairs Vivian Hoo/Woon Khe Wei and Alicia Anscelly/Soong Fie.
Two Malaysian mixed doubles pairs also moved into the semifinals when Tan Aik Quan/Lai Pei Jing and Chan Peng Soon/Goh Liu Ying beat their respective opponents in their quarterfinal matches. — Bernama
