KUCHING, July 24 — National wushu exponent Phoon Eyin of Negeri Sembilan put up a splendid performance en route to claiming the gold medal in the Women’s Qiangshu (spear) event in the 18th Sukma Games at the SJK Chung Hua, No 3, Padungan, here, today. The 20-year-old athlete produced a mesmerising performance that convinced the panel of judges to award the gold medal to her with a score of 9.45 points.

Tammy Tan Hui Ling of Melaka and the host’s wushu exponent, Stephanie Ngu Chai Ern had to be contented with silver and bronze with 9.35 points and 9.33 points, respectively.

Speaking to the press afterwards, Eyin said she did not expect to bag her seventh gold medal in her fourth and final appearance in the Sukma Games as other opponents also put up a good show, while vying to add another gold in the Women’s Jianshu (sword) event, tomorrow.

“I’m happy to win this medal despite a home crowd pressure. All the athletes had given their best but most importantly for me, it was to keep improving on my own performance,” Eyin said, adding that she would take part in the 9th Asian Wushu Championships to be held in Taoyuan, Taiwan, in September.

For the record, she claimed two gold medals each at the three previous editions of the biennial games — 2010 in Melaka, 2012 (Pahang) and 2014 in Perlis.

Sharing the same views were Sarawak’s wushu exponent, Elvic Bong Qian Zheng who was delighted to clinch his first gold medal in his second Sukma Games appearance after winning the Men’s Nangun (Southern cudgel) event with 9.51 points.

Low Jun Ying of Negeri Sembilan and Shi Shin Peng of Melaka won the silver and bronze, respectively after collecting 9.49 points and 9.47 points.

In the 2014 Perlis Sukma Games, Bong only managed to win the bronze in the Jiangshu event.

“I would like to thank my coaches, parents and also the local supporters who had given me strong support,” said the form five student of Kuching High School who won the bronze in the Men’s Changquan (Long Fist), yesterday.

Six more gold medals are up for grabs in the final day of wushu competition tomorrow, namely Men’s and Women’s Nandao, Men’s and Women’s Gunshu and also Men’s and Women’s Jianshu. — Bernama