Team Malaysia @ Sea Games Korat 2007

Daniel Bego, Cai Lin Named Best Olympians

2008-02-05T12:52:00.000+08:00

DANIEL (kiri) dan Cai Lin bangga bersama pingat dan cek yang dimenangi selaku Olimpian Terbaik 2007 pada majlis di Kuala Lumpur semalam.

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 4 (Bernama) -- Swimmers Daniel William Henry Bego and Khoo Cai Lin were named Best Olympians of 2007 in the men's and women's categories respectively Monday night.

Each of them received a trophy and RM10,000 from Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak who is chairman of the Cabinet Committee on Sports at the indoor arena of the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) here.

Daniel won the award after defeating other challengers like Mohd Qabil Ambak Muhammad Fathil (equestrian), Yeoh Ken Nee (diving), Lim Yoke Wai (karate) and Cheng Chu Sian (archery).

He has qualified for this year's Beijing Olympics in 100m and 200m butterfly and 200m freestyle. At the Korat Sea Games last year, he bagged two golds in 100m butterfly and 200m freestyle and set new games' records.

Cai Lin, who has also qualified for the Beijing Olympics albeit under Category B, received the award based on the two golds she won at the Sea Games in 400m and 800m freestyle.

She also set new games' records in both events and broke the national record in 800m set by Nurul Huda Abdullah in 1998 in Canton, China.

Two other women nominated for the award were Leong Mun Yee (diving) and Lim Wen Chean (gymnastics).

Meanwhile, 10 former sports officials and athletes made it to the OCM Hall of Fame.

The former officials are Sultan Azlan Muhibbuddin Shah of Perak (hockey), Tan Sri Elyas Omar (badminton, cycling, football), Datuk T. Paul Murugasu (football), Tunku Datuk Seri Adnan Tunku Besar Burhanuddin (hockey, judo), Tan Sri P. Alagendra (hockey) and Datuk Tan Chin Nam (chess).

The former athletes are Malek Noor (bodybuilding), Shaharuddin Jaafar (cycling), Yew Cheng Hoe (badminton) and Ng Seow Meng (badminton).

-- BERNAMA

SEA Games: Rewards for gold

2008-01-03T15:37:00.001+08:00

PUTRAJAYA: It was a huge payout for the swimmers and divers. But rhythmic gymnast Chrystal Lim emerged as the biggest individual winner of the rewards given out under the athlete incentive scheme for the SEA Games in Korat last month.

A total of RM376,000 were handed out to gold medallists of the Games in a glittering ceremony in Putrajaya yesterday.

Attending the function in appreciation of the efforts of the national athletes were Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

Only gold medallists get rewarded under the scheme at the SEA Games level and Chrystal's four-gold medal performance earned her RM16,250.

Chrystal won three of the four individual finals – rope, clubs and ribbon. The 19-year-old was also part of the gold medal-winning, who include Foong Seow Ting, Wan Siti Haniza Wan Izahar and Jaime Lee Yoke Jeng.

She is the third Malaysian to win four gold medals in SEA Games rhythmic gymnastics after Durratun Nashihin Rosli (2003 Hanoi) and Seow Ting (2005 Manila).

And her outstanding performance in Korat is something to cherish forever. Chrystal has decided to quit the sport to concentrate on her studies.

“I had never won a SEA Games gold medal prior to this and I never expect to do so in Korat.

“I will be going for further studies and the money will definitely help me in my studies,” said Chrystal, who is keen to pursue a career in graphic design.

The other big winners were equestrian rider Mohd Qabil Ambak Mohd Fathil and diver Yeoh Ken Nee – taking home RM12,500 each.

Qabil was the individual gold medallist for Malaysia in dressage and show jumping. He was also part of the Malaysian winning team in both disciplines.

Ken Nee became the first diver to achieve a sweep of all three springboard gold medals in a SEA Games diving competition. He won the 1m and 3m individual springboard events and partnered Rossharisham Roslan to victory in the synchronised competition.

Swimmers Daniel Bego and Khoo Cai Lin also received handsome rewards – RM12,000 each for their Games record-breaking feats. Besides the RM5,000 for a gold, both swimmers also collected an additional RM1,000 for each record broken.

Daniel retained his 200m freestyle and 100m butterfly titles while Cai Lin stamped her marks in the 400m and 800m freestyle.

Altogether, aquatics emerged as the biggest medal contributor for Malaysia with a total of 14 gold medals and their athletes were rewarded with a total of RM74,000.

The next big winners were the karate exponents, who took home a total of RM40,000. Karate contributed eight gold medals, doubling the target set for them by the National Sports Council.

Asian Championships gold medallist Lim Yoke Wai was the biggest winner for karate.

He received RM10,000 for winning the individual and Open events, the first exponent to do so at a SEA Games competition.

The Star

Wen Chean, Qabil paling lumayan

2008-01-03T15:35:00.000+08:00

LUMAYAN: Crystal Lim (kiri) dan Qabil memperaga repllika cek yang disampaikan Perdana Menteri di PICC, petang semalam.

KEJAYAAN memenangi empat emas � tiga acara individu dan satu acara berpasukan � di Sukan Sea XXIV Korat 2007 memberi habuan besar buat ratu gimnastik berirama Crystal Lim Wen Chen apabila mendapat sejumlah RM16,250 di bawah Skim Hadiah Kemenangan Sukan (Shakam).

Crystal adalah seorang daripada 137 atlit negara yang mendapat habuan masing-masing atas kejayaan menyumbangkan pingat emas di temasya serantau itu daripada Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi dalam satu majlis penghargaan gilang gemilang kerajaan Malaysia di Pusat Konvensyen Antarabangsa Putrajaya (PICC), semalam.

Turut hadir isteri Perdana Menteri Datin Seri Jeanne Abdullah, Timbalan Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak dan Menteri Belia dan Sukan Datuk Seri Azalina Aziz.

Crystal memenangi emas dalam disiplin riben, tali dan gelung serta berpasukan dengan setiap emas individu bernilai RM5,000 dan berkongsi RM1,250 bagi kemenangan dalam berpasukan gimrama.

Selain Crystal, turut menerima habuan besar ialah jaguh ekuestrian, Mohd Qabil Ambak Mahamad Fathil yang mendapat RM12,500 berbekal kejayaan memenangi empat emas � dua individu dan dua berpasukan � dalam acara showjumping dan dressage.

Ia kejayaan cemerlang buat Qabil kerana memenangi emas dalam semua acara yang disertainya, sekali gus mengekalkan pencapaian terbaiknya dalam temasya itu.

Turut berkongsi nilai kemenangan sama ialah jaguh terjun Yeoh Ken Nee, yang menyumbangkan dua emas individu dan satu berpasukan dalam acara terjun berirama.

Dua perenang, Khoo Chai Lin dan Daniel Bego juga tidak terkecuali daripada menikmati habuan lumayan hasil daripada kecemerlangan mereka di Korat apabila masing-masing menyumbangkan dua emas serta berjaya memecahkan rekod kebangsaan masing-masing yang memberikan keseluruhan RM12,000.

Majlis Sukan Negara (MSN) menyediakan sejumlah RM376,000 untuk pembayaran Shakam dengan atlit akuatik iaitu renang dan terjun mendapat habuan terbesar iaitu RM74,000, karate-do (RM40,000), olahraga (RM36,000) dan gimnastik (artistik dan gimrama) RM30,000.

Pada Sukan Sea XXIV Disember lalu, kontinjen Malaysia membawa pulang sejumlah 68 emas, sekali gus membolehkan mereka menamatkan saingan di tempat kedua keseluruhan di belakang tuan rumah Thailand, pencapaian kedua terbaik dalam sejarah temasya ini.

Berita Harian

PM ucap tahniah buat kontinjen Sukan Sea

2007-12-19T09:45:00.000+08:00

PERDANA Menteri, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, semalam mengucapkan tahniah atas kejayaan atlit negara mengutip 68 pingat emas - mengatasi sasaran 64 emas, sekali gus merangkul tempat kedua dalam jumlah keseluruhan pungutan pingat pada temasya Sukan Sea ke-24 di Korat, Thailand yang berakhir Sabtu lalu.

Abdullah berkata, kejayaan atlit negara membuktikan rakyat negara ini mampu berjaya dalam apa juga bidang termasuk sukan jika mereka mempunyai keyakinan serta kesungguhan untuk mencapai impian masing-masing.

“Saya amat gembira dan bangga dengan kejayaan atlit kita. Malah, dalam mesyuarat Kabinet ada membincangkan mengenainya dan kita turut mengucapkan tahniah kepada Menteri Belia dan Sukan (Datuk Seri Azalina Othman) serta semua pegawai yang terbabit dengan sukan.

“Kita juga ingin mengucapkan tahniah kepada atlit yang memenangi pingat, khususnya emas,” katanya kepada pemberita selepas mengadakan lawatan ke Perusahaan Sepang Maju Sdn Bhd, di Banghuris di Sepang pada hari terakhir lawatan kerja dua harinya ke Selangor, semalam.

Hadir sama, isterinya, Datin Seri Jeanne Abdullah; Menteri Besar Selangor, Datuk Seri Dr Mohammad Khir Toyo dan isteri, Datin Seri Zaharah Kechik.

Dalam temasya dwi-tahunan itu, Malaysia berjaya muncul sebagai naib juara dengan pungutan 68 pingat emas, 52 perak dan 96 gangsa di belakang tuan rumah, Thailand berjaya memungut 183 pingat emas, 123 pingat perak dan 103 pingat gangsa.

Ia adalah kejayaan cemerlang dan gemilang buat Malaysia kerana pungutan 68 emas ini yang kedua terbaik secara keseluruhan sejak Sukan Sea 2001.

Abdullah menambah, kemenangan itu turut memberi detik gembira kepada semua kaum memandangkan sukan adalah alat paling berkesan untuk mengeratkan hubungan kaum di negara ini.

Justeru, beliau menyarankan supaya lebih banyak program sukan dianjurkan di peringkat sekolah dalam usaha menyerahkan hubungan antara pelbagai kaum.

“Kita dapat lihat atlit adalah terdiri daripada pelbagai kaum dan kejayaan mereka meraih pingat bukan saja menggembirakan kaum tertentu saja tetapi semua kaum dan semua rakyat Malaysia,” katanya.

Berita Harian

Long Road Ahead For Athletics

2007-12-19T09:44:00.001+08:00

KORAT, Dec 16 (Bernama) -- The Malaysia Amateur Athletics Union (MAAU) set an ambitious target of 10 gold medals for the Korat SEA Games but finished with seven while it was Thailand who remained the dominant force in the region.

The Thais won 17 gold medals out of the 45 that was stake for athletics and also set eight new SEA Games records compared to Malaysia's seven and a single Games record.

Based on the statistics here, it will take a long while before Malaysians can be a power to be reckoned with in athletics in Southeast Asia.

The MAAU must go back to the drawing board to see what went wrong and where it went wrong, following which action plans must be set in motion to rectify the situation.

The glaring fact remains that ageing athletes are past their prime and there is a void in the second echelon of successors who can readily step into their shoes.

To make matters worse, Moh Siew Wei has voiced her intention to retire after failing to defend her 100m hurdles gold while Ngew Sin Mei's reign as the long and triple jump queen in the Games came to an end after losing to an unknown Thai athlete.

The absence of 400m hurdles favourite Noraseela Khalid and MAAU's failure to find an able replacement for her, cost Malaysia a possible gold in the event and considering that she will be 29 when Laos host the 2009 SEA Games, we can expect a similar scenario if a quick remedy is not found.

The same also can be said in the case of the men's 400m hurdles as there was no replacement for the injured Shahadan Jamaluddin, who had won the gold at the Manila SEA Games in 2005.

The walk events, a forte of Malaysia, may soon face the same fate as Yuan Yufang, who had announced her retirement earlier due to her age, had to make a comeback for the Games here because there was no one to take over.

It also needed another veteran, Teoh Boon Lim, who came out of his retirement, to salvage the gold when defending champion Mohd Shahrulhaizy Abd Rahman was disqualified for "floating".

In the event that all three walkers decide to call it a day, Malaysia may have to forego hopes of gold in these events since nobody is coming through the mill.

The National Sports Council (NSC) must also look at their development programmes and identify the areas of concern before it is too late.

Setting ambitious targets is nothing wrong but achieving it is another.

-- BERNAMA

PSM's Safety Concerns On New Ball Unfounded?

2007-12-19T09:43:00.000+08:00

KORAT, Dec 16 (Bernama) -- The Sepak Takraw Association of Malaysia's (PSM) decision to cite safety reasons for not participating in the Korat SEA Games could just be a lame excuse.

According to the countries which participated, there were no problems as to the safety or performance of the new Marathon Gen-II rubber-coated ball used during the sepak takraw competition throughout the Games.

After 11 days of competition at the Nakhon Ratchasima Mall here which ended yesterday, no injuries were recorded or reported in the men's or women's competitions.

Indonesia's assistant coach, Mustakim, when interviewed, said that throughout the sepak takraw competition, none of his players suffered any injuries.

He personally felt that this ball was safer then the old one (without rubber-coating) as its surface was softer and smoother.

"We only trained three months with the Marathon-Gen II before coming here (Korat). None of our players had any complaints about the safety or performance of the ball. In fact, they were very happy with it," he said.

Vietnam coach, Tung Lap Ha, though concurring with Mustakim, however, questioned the haste by the International Sepak Takraw Federation (ISTAF) in wanting the ball to be used at this SEA Games.

He was unhappy that his players had only three months to familiarise themselves with it.

The ball became a subject of controversy as the Malaysian sepak takraw contingent pulled out of the Korat Games because of it, the first time Malaysia had withdrawn from the event in the history of the Games.

PSM president Datuk Ahmad Ismail when announcing Malaysia's withdrawal from the Games had claimed that it was not safe for the players and that its bounce was also inconsistent.

The decision earned the ire of many. They felt the action had tarnished Malaysia's image and was unfair to the players who had trained hard in preparing for the Korat SEA Games.

The men's and women's sepak takraw competition at this Games offered a total of eight gold. the most so far for sepak takraw in the SEA Games.

Meanwhile, ISTAF secretary-general Abdul Halim Kader asked all the participating teams to submit individual reports on the ball's performance to avoid further controversy in future.

"We welcome feedback from the teams that competed (in the Korat Games). So far we have received written reports from

Indonesia and the Philippines who have stated that that they are happy with the new ball," he said.

-- BERNAMA

Seamless Succession In Badminton Cause For Concern

2007-12-19T09:42:00.002+08:00

KORAT, Dec 16 (Bernama) -- The results in badminton at the Korat SEA Games was a justification of sorts that the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) must not be overdependent on senior players.

The absence of leading national players Lee Chong Wei (singles), Number One doubles pair Koo Kien Keat/Tan Boon Heong and Wong Mew Choo (women's singles) saw the Malaysian badminton team struggling to find their footing even against the likes of Thailand and Singapore let alone Indonesia.

Malaysia's backup shuttlers could only produce four bronze in Korat, which was the country's worse ever performance in the history of the Games.

Head coach for the SEA Games badminton team Rashid Sidek was about the most disappointed person by the performance of the second stringers.

"I am as disappointed as anyone else but the only consolation is that at least my players were given exposure here.

"They now know where they stand as they are not anywhere close to other top players in the region," said Rashid.

-- BERNAMA

No End To Complaints About Biased Judging

2007-12-19T09:42:00.001+08:00

News Analysis By Elmi Rizal Elias

KORAT, Dec 16 (Bernama) -- Complaints of biased judging in subjective sports has become a perennial problem each time a SEA Games takes place.

It appears to be a disease that is hard to eradicate even though the biennial sports meet for ASEAN entered its 24th edition here this year.

In this Korat SEA Games, things got so bad that during the silat competition between exponents from the host nation and the Philippines on Wednesday at the Sungnoen Municipal Hall here, there were incidents of chair and bottle throwing.

Malaysia too complained about biased judging in silat and weightlifting.

A case in example involved lifter Che Mohd Azrol Che Mat. The Malaysian camp were already shouting in joy that he had won the gold in the over 105kg category on Wednesday only for it to be shortlived when his last lift in the clean & jerk was disallowed on technicalities.

The contest with a lifter from the host nation ended in a tie and Che Mohd Azrol could only watch in disbelief as the gold was awarded to the Thai after a countback.

National Sports Council (NSC) director-general Datuk Zolkples Embong, who watched Malaysian silat exponents in action on Thursday, was clearly disappointed with the judging that day.

"It (biased judging) has become a common complaint, but at this Games, especially in silat, they have taken it to extremes.

"I feel pity for our athletes. They trained hard but are denied by poor judging. Maybe, after this we should just forget about taking part in subjective sports," he said.

Matters got to a head yesterday when four out of seven Filipino boxers who were to contest in finals, pulled out on the grounds of biased judging giving free wins to Thai boxers.

Also yesterday but in the taekwondo competition, Indonesia's Minister of Youth and Sports, Adhyaksa Dault, himself lodged protests about the poor quality judging he witnessed at the event's venue, the main hall of Vongchavalitkul University.

He later held a meeting with the organising committee's technical director for taekwondo on the matter.

During the last SEA Games in Manila two years ago, former Thai Pirme Minister Thaksin Shinawatra had also slammed the Philippines SEA Games organising committee over biased judging in favour of the hosts.

The SEA Games Federation (SGF) seriously needs to look into this matter before it becomes worse and cause disharmony in ASEAN.

-- BERNAMA

SGF Must Review Objective, Judging Of Subjective Sports - Zolkples

2007-12-19T09:41:00.001+08:00

KORAT, Dec 15 (Bernama) -- The SEA Games Federation (SGF) must sit down and look at the overall objective of the SEA Games and decide once and for all, the structure and the list of sports to be contested, said National Sports Council director-general Datuk Zolkples Embong.

The current practice was that everytime there is a new host, new sports are included which put some of the participating countries in a bind as those sports might only be played in that particular country, he told a press conference for Malaysian journalists here Saturday.

"In the 2005 Manila SEA Games, there were sports like anis which was totally alien to Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei or even Indonesia and here they have muay thai, traditional boat racing.

"This trend must stop and the SGF must streamline a set of sports that can be competed so that there will be enough time for every country to prepare well in advance. What's the purpose of winning so many medals from anis or muay thai as it does not contribute to the overall development of sports in the regional Games.

"We should also focus on raising the standard of the Games through a proper judging system so as to eliminate discontentment among participating countries.

He added that poor judging, refereeing or biased judging has become a perennial problem but Games after Games there has been much talk but nothing concrete has happened.

"Incidents like what happened in boxing when the unhappy Filipinos just gave away their bouts without fighting, apparently due to biased judging, does not augur well for the Games," said Zolkples.

"I feel the Laos Games will be a good avenue to introduce any changes as they (Laos) will little or no vested interest in most of the sports."

Laos who will host the 2009 Games are expected to limit the number of sports to 25 and have indicated that gymnastics and basketball will not be included due to lack of facilities.

-- BERNAMA

Over To You Laos

2007-12-19T09:40:00.003+08:00

KORAT, Dec 15 (Bernama) -- Fireworks lighted up the Korat skyline as soon as the flame at the Cauldron, which was continuosly burning throughout the 10 days of competition died down at the King's Anniversary Main Stadium, to mark the closing of the Korat SEA Games but the flares failed to light up the uncertainty surrounding the next host.

The SEA Games Federation (SGF) flag will now make its way towards unchartered territory, Laos, who will host the SEA Games for the first time in 2009 and who have openly admitted that they do not have adequate facilties.

The next host have also suggested to host 25 sports and though the names of the sports were not revealed, gymnastics and basketball have been axed due to lack of indoor stadiums.

But amidst all that uncertainty, the athletes and officials danced and hugged each other in a true show of friendship, reminescent of every major sporting event, after having battled it out against each other in search of honours for their respective countries.

Thailand Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont, who presided over the closing ceremony, said the SEA Games plays a vital role in promoting relations and cooperation among countries.

Surayud later presented the TOT Most Valuable Player Award to swimmer Natthanan Junkrajang of Thailand, and Miguel Monica of Philippines who also won four gold medals in swimming.

Junkrajang won the 100m, 200m freestyle and the 4x100m and 4x200m freestyle while Monica collected gold medals from the 200m Breaststroke, 200m Individual Medley, 400m Individual Medley and 4x100m medley.

They both received a trophy and 330,000 baht (USD10,000).

--BERNAMA

M'sia Close Korat Sea Games Campaign On A High With 68 Gold Medals

2007-12-19T09:40:00.001+08:00

KORAT, Dec 15 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian contingent ended their Korat SEA Games campaign on a high with 68 gold medals to finish second overall behind host Thailand who finished at the top with 183 gold medals.

The 68 gold, 52 silver and 96 bronze feat ranks as the best performance in a SEA Games held outside the country and also was the second best performance in the history of the SEA Games since 1959 (SEAP Games).

The second place also bettered the fourth place finish in the 2005 Manila SEA Games with 61 gold, 48 silver and 61 bronze, which till now stood as the best performance outside the country.

Malaysia's best ever performance was when the 2001 Games was hosted in Kuala Lumpur and Malaysia emerged overall champion with 111 gold, 75 silver and 85 bronze and the second best performance before this (67) was also when Kuala Lumpur hosted the Games in 1989.

According to National Sports Council (NSC) Director-General Datuk Zolkples Embong the tally could have increased if not for the exclusion of women's squash, the absence of our top badminton players and gymnast Ng Shu Wai (winner of three gold medals at the Manila SEA Games from artistic gymnastics).

"I received a message from Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said that the Cabinet and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi are pleased with the overall performance of the Malaysian contingent," Zolkples told Malaysian journalists at the V-One Hotel here today.

Malaysia who achieved the 64-gold target yesterday, added four more today from the 17 gold medals on offer through a three-gold feat from rhythmic gymnastics and the polo team.

He added that the NSC's statistics showed that Six sports performed above expectations, 10 achieved the projected target, six were under achievers while 22 other sports not categoried under medal prospects, "lived up to expectations" by not delivering any gold.

"The six sports that performed above expectations were swimming, basketball, snooker, equestrian, karate-do and sailing," he said.

Swimming had set a 5-gold target but delivered seven (140 per cent), diving contributed another seven though the target was three (233.33%), karate-do had targetted four but swept eight (200%), equestrian's target was two but raked in four (200%) sailing had one on the list but came in with two (200%) while there was no medal target for basketball and snooker but contributed one each (200%).

The 10 sports that achieved the NSC's target are athletics 7, tenpin bowling (4), artistic gymnastics (2), hockey (2), squash (1), taekwondo (2), triathlon (1), wushu (2), polo (1) and lawn bowls (4).

The worst of the under achievers was pencak silat as there was no gold medals despite the three projected, while shooting only managed 50 per cent of the four gold expectation, cycling collected four out of six, rhythmic gymnastics fell one short of the five expected, archers also missed one from the targetted three while badminton joined pencak silat on a zero count.

"We will review the performances of each and every sport funded by NSC and decide on the funding. We have already introduced the Key Performance Index (KPI) for National Sports Association (NSAs) and that will provide us a basis for assessment," said Zolkples.

"Those that did not come under NSC's programme but did well here like triathlon, equestrian can also join as our priority now will be 2010 Asian Games and 2012 Olympics. But we will also maintain our focus on the 2009 SEA Games in Laos."

--BERNAMA

Easy Win For M'sia In Polo Final

2007-12-19T09:39:00.003+08:00

From Hilary Sebastian

BANGKOK, Dec 15 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian polo team easily overcame Singapore 9 - 3 1/2 in the final to win the gold at the VR Sports Club in Samut Prakan Province near here Saturday.

Team manager Ahmad Jamili Abdul Rahid said the win proved that Malaysia were still the best in polo in the region.

He attributed the victory to the hard work by the players who wanted to defend Malaysia's title in the event. The last time polo was included in the SEA Games was 24 years ago at the 1983 Singapore Games. Malaysia won the gold then.

The Malaysian winning team today comprised Datuk Mohamed Moiz Jabir (handicapped 2) (captain), Shaik Reismann Mohamed Ismail (2), Tengku Ahmad Shazril Tengku Sulaiman (2), Saladin Mazlan (2), Harizal Yahya (0), and Md. Adyrizal Md. Zamri (0).

Earlier, Thailand defeated Philippines 7 1/2 - 2 in the bronze play-off.

-- BERNAMA

Teck Hua-shun Ting Take The Bronze

2007-12-19T09:39:00.001+08:00

From Farhanah Azmi

KORAT, Dec 15 (Bernama) -- Though not able to reach the final of the beach-volleyball competition, the women's pair of Luk Teck Hua and Beh Shun Ting will not return home empty-handed.

In the play-off for the bronze at the King's 80th Anniversary Sports Complex here Saturday, the final day of the Games, the duo had little difficulty in overcoming Indonesia's Devota Rahawarin/ Yokbeth Kapasiang.

The Malaysians took just 27 minutes for their 21-12, 21-7 victory.

"Overall I am satisfied with the performance by the beach volleyball team. We returned empty-handed at the last two Games and I am sure we will be a force to be reckoned with in the near future," said team manager Datuk Lee Jin Xian, who is also Malaysian Volleyball Association president.

Lee, who had promised a RM50,000 reward should any of the Malaysian pairs (there were four in the competition) be able to win gold, added that he would personally reward Teck Hua and Shun Ting RM5,000 each for their achievement while the team's coach would also do the same.

-- BERNAMA

Like Father Like Son

2007-12-19T09:38:00.002+08:00

KORAT, Dec 15 (Bernama) -- The Moh family has kept the Malaysian flag flying in the snooker and billiards competition of the Sea Games since the '90s.

It was Moh senior, the 53-year-old Loon Hong who started the proud tradition with his victory in the English billiards singles in the 1991 Games in Manila and then followed it up with his second victory in the 1995 Chiangmai Sea Games.

Meanwhile, Moh junior, Keen Ho, who was still in primary school in his hometown of Penang then, did not know what the fuss was all about. He was only five when dad won his first Sea Games gold medal and nine when the second gold came.

But on Friday in this northeastern Thai city, Keen Ho got his first taste of victory after two Sea Games and one silver and one bronze medal later.

The 21-year-old keen Ho beat Thailand's Napadon Sangnil 4-1 in a best of seven-frame final to win the men' singles gold medal to give Malaysia their first gold medal in snooker and billiards in the Korat Sea Games.

"When I was a small boy I remember people talking about my father winning the Sea Games gold medal. I wondered why everyone was so excited? I only saw the medal and it was a nice piece of metal.

"I was too young to understand," said Keen Ho.

But now he knows the joy of winning a Sea Games gold medal. More so after two attempts, at the 2003 Vietnam and 2005 Manila Sea Games, where he won a silver in the doubles and the bronze in the singles respectively.

"It's a nice feeling, really nice and now I know how my daddy must have felt when he won the two gold medals. To stand on the rostrum and hear the Negaru Ku being played made it even better," added Keen Ho, who picked up the game when he used to help his mother at the cashier's counter in the family's snooker centre in Penang.

"It's only natural that I play the game as I spent a lot of my free time at the centre. Infact, my younger sister is also quite good but she is not serious about it," said Keen Ho, who was also the 2005 Asian Junior champion.

His next target is the Asian Games in Guangzhou in 2010 where he hopes to a medallist there too.

-- BERNAMA

Four-Gold Heroine

2007-12-19T09:38:00.001+08:00

KORAT, Dec 15 (Bernama) -- Lim Wen Chean won three gold medals in rhythmic gymnastics to sent Malaysia on the road to a golden flourish in the final day of competition at the Indoor Stadium here.

The 19-year old Wen Chean won the ribbon, club and rope in the single apparatus event to take her total tally to four gold medals out of the six offered in rhythmic gymnastics.

She could have won all six but lost the Individual All-around individual title and the hoop event to Thailand's Tharatip Sridee.

But while celebrating her triumph, including the team event gold, she will have to spare a thought for teammate Foong Seow Ting, the four-gold heroine in Manila in the previous Games.

It was a disappointing outing for Seow Ting here, winning only one gold through the team event and four bronze via the rope, ribbon, clubs and Individual All-around.

"The competition was tough here. Thailand's Tharatip (Sridee) is a worthy opponent and I certainly did not expect to win four gold. I thought I was good enough to win the ribbon and the All-round title.

"If I had a choice I would have preferred to win the All-around title," said Wen Chean.

She also won a gold medal each in the Hanoi and Manila Games in 2003 and 2005 respectively.

Korat was to be her swansong and when asked about it, Wen Chen said: "But now I don't know. Give me a bit of time to think it over again."

-- BERNAMA

Azalina Wishes 'Syabas' To The Malaysian Contingent

2007-12-19T09:35:00.001+08:00

KORAT, Dec 14 (Bernama) -- Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said wished the Malaysian contingent "Syabas" (well done) and congratulated those who had made it possible to achieve the 64-gold medal target.

"This is a success of the entire Nation and a victory for the united efforts of all Malaysians, immaterial of gender or race. The achievement shows that there has been progress and with the Key Performance Index system coming into play, I hope the results will only be better.

"But to be honest, initially I had my doubts as there were so many adverse reports of injuries, fears of biased judging, problems in sports associations, some had their own problems with International bodies and all these happened even before the SEA Games started.

"The determination shown by athletes, deserves a big thank you from the bottom of my heart and I wish to congratulate each and everyone who made it possible," Azalina told Bernama when contacted today.

She added that the achievement was a joint effort from the various parties involved like the National Sports Council (NSC), National Sports Institute (NSI), Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM), National Sports Associations (NSAs) and the athletes themselves.

"I sincerely wish to be there in person to congratulate them (athletes, officials) but since Johor is facing floods, I will not be able to make it," said Azalina, who was in Korat twice to provide moral support and witness the action in the Games.

However, she urged the Malaysian contingent to continue their search for excellence and not rest on their laurels and hoped the SEA Games Federation and the respective sports associations will look into ways and means to maintain some form of consistency in the judging system for subjective sports.

"Biased judging in subjective sports has become a perennial problem in multi-sport events and continuously hamper the spirit of the Games. Fair play must always be emphasised as Winning alone should not be the motto of host countries.

"I have told NSC Director-General Datuk Zolkples Embong to look at such aspects and liase with the relevant authorities to minimise such shortfalls," she said.

Zolkples had also earlier indicated that Malaysia may consider not sending teams for subjective sports, if the judging system was not improved.

--BERNAMA

Malaysia Achieve 64-gold Target, Now Set Sail For More

2007-12-19T09:34:00.002+08:00

KORAT, Dec 14 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian contingent who achieved the 64-gold target for the Korat SEA Games today, set sail to surpass that mark when the final day of competitions gets underway Saturday.

However, there will be no champagne to pop up for celebrations as Thailand are observing a three-day non-alcohol curfew to facilitate polling process for their coming general election on Dec 23.

But champagne on the menu or not, there was no stopping the Malaysian contingent from rejoicing the achievement as soon as Moh Keen Ho potted his way to the men's singles gold in snooker to give Malaysia the all important 64th gold.

The achievement is the highest by the country after the 61-gold achievement at the 2005 Manila SEA Games.

It was the 10th gold of the day as Malaysian sailors had conquered the waves in Pattaya to clinch the men's International Laser and women's Laser Radial while divers went into action at the King's Anniversary Aquatics Centre to white-wash their opponents and sweep all five gold medals offered today.

The bowling team in Bangkok provided the cheers from the SF Strike Bowl centre by winning the Mixed doubles gold while taekwondo came good in the final event of taekwondo competitions to clinch the women's Under 51kg gold and Malaysia's ninth.

The 64-gold target was achieved through the contribution of 19 sports from the 40 sports that involved Malaysian athletes.

Aquatics (swimming, diving) accounted for the highest number with 14 while karate-do hauled in eight, ahead of athletics with seven while lawn bowls, equestrian, cycling and bowling added four each respectively.

Shooters fired their way to two gold medals even before the official opening of the Games while archers were spot on with another two, artistic gymnastics (2), hockey (2), sailing (2), taekwondo (2) and wushu (2) added to the tally while basketball (women), rhythmic gymnastics, squash, triathlon and snooker with one gold each shared the honours.

Tomorrow, the final day of competitions, 17 gold medals are on offer in rhythmic gymnastics (4), tennis (3), beach volleyball (2), diving (2), equestrian (2) and one in polo.

Malaysia will be in contention for medals in gymnastics, diving, equestrian and polo.

-- BERNAMA

Elaine Comes From Behind To Win Gold

2007-12-19T09:34:00.001+08:00

From Kenny Teng Khoon Hock

KORAT, Dec 14 (Bernama) -- Elaine Teo bounced back from 0-2 down in the final round to defeat Filipino Loraine Lorellie Catalan 3-2 in the women's under 51kg taekwondo competition at the Vongchavalitkul hall here today.

The Malacca girl said that she was very happy to have won Malaysia's only gold medal today, the last day of the taekwondo competition.

"I am greatly relieved that I was able to fight back after trailing in the first two rounds," she said.

Elaine will compete in the Olympics next year in the below 57kg category instead of her regular below 49kg after an error by a Malaysia Taekwondo Association (MTA) official had Elaine entered in the wrong category.

-- BERNAMA

A Million Thanks To Chao Siao Fong

2007-12-19T09:33:00.001+08:00

KORAT, Dec 14 (Bernama) -- At 31, Chao Siao Fong has reached the twilight of her international basketball career and she knows it.

Basketball has been a major part of her life since she made her debut for Selangor in the Junior tournament in the early nineties and the strain is showing.

After helping Malaysia win the gold medal against Thailand 61-60 in a nail-biting final at the Keelapirom Stadium yesterday where she top scored for the team with 20 points, coach Tan See Wah offered her the hand of thanks.

"She came to the team's rescue when we needed someone with the nerves and steady hands. Her experience was a crucial factor in Malaysia winning the gold and as much as I want her to carry on playing for Malaysia, I know she is finding it tough.

"Age is catching up and I know she still has the desire to play. But at times I need to look for someone else to carry on the torch. She will be a part of the team if she wants but her place in the starting five has to be relooked," said See Wah.

Siao Fong, now an insurance agent, first appeared in the Sea Games in the 1995 edition in Chiangmai where she won gold and went on to win three more including yesterday's reward for Malaysia's victory over Thailand.

"I have been playing a long time now for my country and I can feel the strain. I don't know whether I can continue anymore. I will make a decision later," said Siao Fong, whose one point from the two free throws she took in the final minute of the match proved so crucial in the end.

She is considering taking up coaching but for now she has the gold medal in her hand and that's most important.

-- BERNAMA

2007-12-17T11:25:00.000+08:00

Malaysia tepati sasaran

TEPATI SASARAN: Zolkples (tengah) bersama Keen Ho (empat dari kiri) dan pegawai snuker meraikan kejayaan meraih emas ke-64 menerusi perseorangan lelaki, semalam.

Emas menerusi perseorangan lelaki snuker jelmakan impian

TAHNIAH dan syabas buat barisan Harimau Malaysia! Angka keramat 64 emas yang dicari muncul di dewan Hotel Sima Thani apabila Moh Keen Ho memenangi acara snuker perseorangan, sekali gus memastikan sasaran Majlis Sukan Negara (MSN) tercapai sudah akhirnya.

Ia penantian yang cukup lama serta penuh mendebarkan dengan emas ke-64 negara hadir sehari sebelum Sukan Sea XXIV melabuhkan tirainya.

Dan kejayaan Keen Ho itu disambut dengan linangan air mata oleh kontinjen negara yang hadir termasuk Ketua Pengarah Majlis Sukan Negara (MSN) Datuk Zolples Embong yang tidak dapat menahan perasaan terharunya lantas memeluk pegawainya dan terus menangis.

Seolah-olah seperti bebanan dan tekanan sudah hilang, Zolkples melepaskan semua perasaan terpendamnya dengan memeluk semua pegawai termasuk wartawan Malaysia yang mengucapkan tahniah di atas kejayaan kontinjen negara.

"Ini emas paling berharga," kata Zolkples, sambil mengesat air matanya. "Saya tidak sangka emas ke-64 akan disumbangkan oleh snuker dan syabas saya ucapkan kepada Keen Ho dan juga Prof Datuk W W Chin (Presiden Snuker dan Billiards Kebangsaan), yang berusaha keras untuk memastikan snuker menyumbangkan emas yang kali terakhir dimenangi pada 1999.

"Saya juga sudah memaklumkan kepada Menteri Belia dan Sukan (Datuk Seri Azalina Othman) dan beliau meminta kontinjen negara supaya jangan berhenti setakat ini, sebaliknya terus mencuba untuk memenangi beberapa emas lagi pada hari terakhir esok.

"Saya juga ingin mengambil kesempatan mengucapkan terima kasih kepada atlit serta persatuan sukan kebangsaan yang berusaha keras untuk memastikan kita dapat mencapai sasaran ini dan saya juga tujukan kejayaan ini kepada seluruh rakyat Malaysia," kata Zolkples.

Selepas permulaan perlahan terutama lima hari pertama pertandingan apabila emas diraih kontinjen Malaysia begitu sedikit, atlit negara bangkit menggegar Korat pada tiga hari terakhir.

Bermula Rabu lalu, apabila karate-do dilangsungkan, ia mencetuskan kebangkitan kontinjen negara apabila mereka berjaya memenangi sejumlah 13 emas, dan disusuli dengan 10 emas kelmarin dan jumlah sama diraih semalam, bagi menjadikan pungutan tiga hari ini saja berjumlah 33 emas.

Ia membantu kontinjen Malaysia untuk menduduki tangga ketiga kedudukan pingat negara-negara dengan sejumlah 64 emas, terikat dengan Vietnam, yang menduduki tempat kedua berbekalkan kelebihan pingat peraknya.

Tetapi dengan Malaysia masih berpeluang menambah pingat melalui sukan polo, gimrama dan terjun pada hari terakhir ini, kontinjen negara kini mensasarkan kedudukan naib juara keseluruhan di belakang Thailand.

Bagi Zolkples, tekanan yang dirasai sejak bermulanya Sukan Sea begitu jelas apabila tidak dapat mengawal perasaannya semalam.

"Saya dapat rasakan satu bebanan atas diri saya sudah hilang," kata Zolkples. "Memang ramai yang meragui kemampuan kita mencapai sasaran 64 emas selepas kita bermula perlahan tetapi saya sudah jelas sebelum ini bahawa acara yang menjadi sasaran emas kita akan hanya bermula pada akhir pertandingan.

"Kini kita berpeluang memenangi beberapa emas lagi dalam acara terjun, gimrama dan polo dan saya berharap atlit kita akan terus berjuang," katanya.

Berita Harian

Synchronised Divers Strike Gold

2007-12-14T15:49:00.000+08:00

KORAT, Dec 14 (Bernama) -- The synchronised diving pairs of Cheong Jun Hong/Pandalela Rinong and Yeoh Ken Nee/Rossharisham Roslan struck gold in the women's 10m platform and men's 3m springboard events respectively at the Aquatics centre here this morning.

Jun Hong and Pandalela scored 293.79 points to finish ahead of Amelia Shenny Sukmahati Herlyani of Indonesia who recorded 270.12 points. Sukrutai Tommaoras/Dangjai Putsadee of Thailand (208.17) took the bronze.

Ken Nee and Rossharisham scored 416.76 points beating defending champions Philippines' Domemios Zardo/Nino Carog who managed only 342.72 points and had to settle for the silver. The Vietnamese duo of Nguyen Minh Sang and Vu Anh Duy took the bronze in 324.93 points.

In the afternoon, Bryan Nickson Lomas will compete in the men's 10m platform while Ken Nee and Rossharisham will try to outdo each other in the men's individual 1m springboard.

Leong Mun Yee will partner Elizabeth Jimie in the women's 3m synchronised springboard.

-- BERNAMA

Malaysia Menang 10 Emas Hari Ini, Makin Hampir Dengan Sasaran

2007-12-14T15:46:00.001+08:00

KORAT, 13 Dis (Bernama) -- Persembahan cemerlang pasukan karate membantu kontinjen Malaysia Sukan SEA ke-24 untuk mendekati sasaran 64 pingat emas selepas menyumbangkan empat daripada 10 pingat emas hari ini.

Selain empat daripada karate, penerjun-penerjun negara menyumbangkan dua emas menerusi 3m papan anjal lelaki dan 1m papan anjal wanita manakala pasukan hoki menyapu kedua-dua pingat emas dalam acara lelaki dan wanita.

Pasukan gimrama menyumbangkan satu emas diikuti satu lagi daripada pasukan bola keranjang wanita yang menundukkan Thailand dengan hanya satu mata, menerusi gol pada masa tambahan.

Dengan 10 emas hari ini, Malaysia kekal di tangga ketiga dengan 54 emas, 45 perak dan 82 gangsa. Thailand semakin jauh untuk dikejar setelah mengatasi sasaran 150 pingat emas dengan 154 emas, 109 perak dan 94 gangsa manakala kedua Vietnam dengan 60 emas, 50 perak dan 74 gangsa.

Indonesia di tempat keempat dengan 41 emas manakala juara Sukan SEA Manila dua tahun lepas, Filipina di tempat kelima dengan 39 emas, Singapura keenam dengan 39 emas diikuti Myanmar (10), Laos (lima), Kemboja (dua) dan Brunei (satu).

Esok, hari kedua terakir Sukan SEA Korat, menawarkan 56 pingat emas dengan terbanyak dalam acara pelayaran (12), kanu (tujuh), karate (tujuh), terjun (lima), luncur angin (lima), badminton (lima), taekwondo (empat), judo (empat), tenis (dua), bola tampar (dua), perlumbaan bot tradisonal (dua), snuker (dua), besbol (satu), boling (satu), bola sepak (satu) dan gimrama (satu).

Dengan hanya 19 emas yang masih ada pada hari terakhir, kontinjen Malaysia mesti mencuba mencapai sasaran itu esok.

Harapan Malaysia adalah dalam acara terjun, pelayaran, karate, taekwondo, judo, boling, gimrama dan bola tampar pantai.

-- BERNAMA

Karate: Another wonder show from karate

2007-12-14T15:42:00.001+08:00

S. Mahendran (right) lands a kick on Indonesia's Christo Mondulu in the kumite below 75kg final yesterday. Mahendran beat Mondulu 1-0 to win the gold.

THE karate exponents stood tall yet again as the Negaraku was played four times at the Kebkanjana Hall yesterday.

(Clockwise) Karate exponents S. Mahendran, G. Yamini, Lim Yoke Wai and Jamaliah Jamaluddin with their gold medals.

Yesterday's four gold, which included a second for Lim Yoke Wai, brought the karate tally to eight, exceeding the official target of four and coach P. Arivalagan's personal projection of seven.

Arivalagan was jubilant but said there was still unfinished business.

"I am happy with our achievements but we want to beat the Indonesians and Vietnamese in the team events.

"It has been a long time since we have done that and if we can win, it will be a tremendous way to cap whatever we have done here," said Arivalagan.
Only the men's and women's team events are left to be decided and going by the form of the Malaysian exponents, another two gold today is a possibility.

After Wednesday's high of four, S. Mahendran gave Malaysia a dream start when he beat Indonesia's Christo Mondulo with a sudden-death point in the men's kumite 75kg.

It was the 27-year-old Mahendran's first gold in four Sea Games appearances, having settled for silver and bronze before.

"I dedicate this to my parents who have been so supportive of me," said Mahendran, who hails from Segamat, Johor.

Then, it was the turn of Jamaliah Jamaluddin to provide gold and hers, she was the first to admit, was a surprise.

"I was only promoted to the national team earlier this year and the Sea Games were supposed to be about exposure for me," said Jamaliah, from Kuala Lumpur.

She was in commanding form in the final against Nguyen Thi Nga of Vietnam, winning 3-0.

Yoke Wai, who clinched the 65kg gold on Wednesday, was Arivalagan's pick for the Open and he didn't disappoint as he outpointed Motuty Usia of Indonesia 6-3.

"What can I say? I came here hoping to win one but I have two now. This sets me up nicely for the team, where I hope to add a third," said Yoke Wai.

Arivalagan's decision to field G. Yamini in the women's Open would have raised questions, especially after she lost the 60kg final 4-3 to Vietnam's Nguyen Thi Hai Yen.

But she proved her coach was right as she was mentally stronger and highly motivated in the Open and was an easy 5-3 winner over Ceril Tugday of the Philippines in the final.

"I was desperate to redeem myself after losing the 60kg final and this motivated me."

NST

Hockey: Double delight!

2007-12-14T15:41:00.002+08:00

Malaysia's Chitra Devi (front) attempts a shot past Thailand keeper Suwanmanee Rachan during their match at the Queen Sirikit Hockey Stadium Sport Centre yesterday. Malaysia won 6-0.

MALAYSIA cruised to a hockey double when both the men's and women's teams registered comfortable wins in their respective finals at the Queen Sirikit Sports Centre in Pathum Thani yesterday.

The men's hockey team thrashed Singapore 7-0 to win the gold yesterday.

The men thrashed Singapore 7-0 to retain the gold medal they won in Kuala Lumpur in 2001 when hockey was last held at the Sea Games.

G. Sasitheran notched a hat-trick with field goals in the 24th, 50th and 52nd minutes while S. Kuhan weighed in with a brace off penalty corners in the eighth and 59th minutes.

Baljit Singh (12th) and Hafifi Hafiz Hanafi (23rd) also scored for Malaysia, who had the gold medal in the bag by halftime after racing to a 4-0 lead.

But men's coach Sarjit Singh was far from happy with the way his side played despite the hefty win.
"This was not our best performance and not what I wanted to see. We spurned so many chances to score and should have won by a bigger margin," he said.

The women, who only edged Thailand 1-0 in group play, ran riot in the final against the hosts as they completed their three matches without conceding a goal while scoring 12.

Skipper Norfaraha Hashim opened accounts off a penalty corner in the 20th minute before Fazilla Sylvester Silin added the second in the 33rd.

A. Chitra Devi as good as confirmed the gold with the third in the 47th minute. Fazilla added the fourth in the 56th before Norfaraha completed her hat-trick with two more penalty corner conversions in the 68th and 70th minutes.

Women's team manager A. Malarvani said the team wanted to impress after struggling to get past Thailand in the preliminary round.

"What happened before did not matter as we wanted to get it right by winning in style," she said.

NST

Gymnastics: Hard work pays off for gymnasts

2007-12-14T15:41:00.001+08:00

The rhythmic gymnastics team of (from left) Wan Siti Haniza, Foong Seow Ting, Chrystal Lim and Jamie Lee with their gold medals yesterday.

TWO rookies, who slept for only about four hours a day for seven months because of their hectic training schedule and preparation for the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia, helped the rhythmic gymnastics team to retain their gold medal yesterday.

Rhythmic gymnast Wan Siti Haniza Wan Izahar in action yesterday.

Jaime Lee and Wan Siti Haniza Wan Izahar lost lots of sleep before their examination because they had to train as well as study.

“Luckily it has paid off,” said Siti.

Both gymnasts were excited as it was their first Sea Games medal and gold at that.

Jaime and Siti competed in only two of the apparatus disciplines but did enough to lift the team to the first position.
Jaime competed in the rope where she scored 14.025 and loop (15.175) while Wan Siti Haniza competed in the clubs (13.950) and ribbon (14.462).

Foong Seow Ting, a gold medallist at the Manila Sea Games, and Lim Wen Chean were the other two members of the team.

The Malaysian quartet’s total score of 149.961 was enough to push hosts Thailand, with a 147.787 score, into second. Vietnam, with a score of 114.95, took the bronze.

However, the two newcomers failed to qualify for the Individual All Around which starts today.

Seow Ting, the most senior in the team, scored an average of 15.000, while Wen Chean scored an average of 15.400, to clinch the gold.

Both also qualified for the Individual All Around.

NST

Basketball: Heart-stopper for cagers

2007-12-14T15:40:00.001+08:00

Malaysia's Chan Ying Chee (left) falls while trying to stop a Thailand player in their match yesterday. Malaysia won 61-60 to take gold.

THE national women's basketball team played the match of their lives against hosts Thailand which finally won them the gold medal at the Keelapirom Stadium in Suranaree University of Technology yesterday.

To their credit, the Malaysians refused to be intimidated by the noisy 3,000 capacity home crowd and eventually won 61-60.

The winning point came with just four seconds remaining in overtime when Chow Siao Foong completed a free shot after being a victim of a foul. But until the 50-point mark, they were trailing the home team by at least three or four points at any one time. They drew level at 53-53 just before regulation time ended.

The match went into overtime and the gutsy Malaysian girls managed six points to the Thais' five to bring home the gold medal for the fourth consecutive time.

Tears flowed freely from the players and officials when the match ended. The small band of Malaysian supporters also ran onto the court to hug and congratulate the players.
Kew Suik May, 25, said they were initially intimidated by the boisterous crowd. "But after the first quarter we got used to it and started playing our usual game."

She disclosed that sometime in the third quarter they employed a strategy which was to tire out the Thais and go for the kill. "I think it worked."

Coach Tan See Wah was ecstatic and said: "I have won nine Sea Games gold medals but this time is the happiest of them all."

He said it was difficult to play in such an intimidating atmosphere. "But the girls are tough. They are young players with limited international exposure. But I am proud they came out victorious."

NST

Diving: Golden cheer for Mun Yee and Ken Nee

2007-12-14T15:39:00.000+08:00

Malaysian divers Yeoh Ken Nee (left) bagged the gold in the 3m springboard while Leong Mun Yee won the 1m springboard at the Aquatic Centre in Korat yesterday.

THERE was double joy from the divers yesterday as Leong Mun Yee and Yeoh Ken Nee both delivered gold medals in their respective events.

It was sweet revenge for Mun Yee as she defeated nemesis Sheila Perez of the Philippines in the 1m springboard while Ken Nee emerged tops in the 3m springboard.

Mun Yee, who played second fiddle to Sheila in the 3m springboard the previous day, said she was disappointed with the judging on Wednesday.

"I told myself I would not let that affect my performance today (yesterday) and I would do my best. And that is what I did and it paid off. I have avenged my defeat to her yesterday (Wednesday) and in the last Sea Games in Manila," she said.

There was also good news for another Malaysian as Elizabeth Jimie grabbed the bronze.
She could have taken silver as she was second at one stage but Sheila's degree of difficulty earned her extra points in the subsequent dives.

Mun Yee amassed 278.30 points, Sheila 265.80 while Elizabeth got 263.10 points.

Meanwhile, Ken Nee won the 3m springboard gold for the third consecutive Games and fourth overall, having also won in 1999.

Rossharisham Roslan made it 1-2 for Malaysia. The bronze went to Filipino Domemios Zardo.

Ken Nee scored 444.05 points, Rossharisham 435.65 and Zardo 407.40.

He said the win proves that his training in China is bearing fruit.

"I hope to repeat this success in the synchronised diving tomorrow (today)," said Ken Nee.

NST

Sea Games: Karate exponents chop down another four gold medals

2007-12-14T15:38:00.003+08:00

THE Malaysian karate squad continued their onslaught at the Chanapolkhan Institute of Technology in Korat yesterday, delivering four gold medals for the second consecutive day.

S. Mahendran (men’s below 75kg), Lim Yoke Wai (men’s Open), G. Yamini (women’s Open) and Jamalliah Jamalludin (women’s over 60kg) all struck gold in their kumite events to bring the team’s haul to eight.

With the men’s and women’s team events remaining today, the team are in with a shot to cap off their fine run in Korat by improving on the best haul of 9-3-6 achieved in the 2001 KL Games.

In the morning’s competition, only a single punch was thrown in the entire bout of the men’s under 75kg final.

Glittering feat: (from left) S. Mahendran, Jamalliah Jamalludin and G. Yamini showing off their gold medals after winning their respective kumite events in the karate competition at the Chanapolkhan Institute of Technology in Korat yesterday.

The punch thrown by Mahendran 11 seconds into sudden death period hit Indonesian Cristo Mondolu and it landed gold for the Malaysian.

Mahendran won 1-0 in the highly tactical and unusual final that saw both exponents not making a single move throughout the three-minute regulation period.

He thanked national chief coach P. Arivalagan for plotting the strategy.

“Ari told me not to go rushing in and only to hit back when the Indonesian attacked. But my opponent was also playing mind games by being reluctant to go on the offensive.

“In the end, the final had to be decided by a single punch,” said Mahendran.

The win lifted a huge burden off Mahendran’s shoulders as he had not won in a major tournament since triumphing in the same event at the 2003 Hanoi SEA Games.

“It is a huge relief to finally get a big win after four years. I always failed before this because I pushed too hard to win. I did not put any pressure on myself and did not think of the gold medal until the very end,” he said.

In the afternoon session, Yoke Wai created history by becoming the first Malaysian exponent to win two individual gold medals at the same Games.

Yoke Wai overturned a losing position against Indonesia’s Yulisar Motuty in the men’s Open final to emerge as the champion, adding to his triumph in the under 65kg competition on Wednesday.

Yulisar was leading 3-1 with less than 90 seconds to go before Yoke Wai took charge completely and pummelled his opponent to carve out a 6-3 victory.

“Although I was trailing, there was never any doubt in my mind that I was the better fighter,” he said.

“I had to wait for six years to get my first SEA Games gold and it took me another 24 hours to get the second. Hopefully, I can create history again tomorrow by bagging my third gold in the team event.”

Yamini recovered from the heartbreak of losing the women’s under 60kg final in the morning to triumph in the much tougher Open category competition.

The Asian Championships gold medallist was in tears after going down 3-4 to Vietnam’s Nguyen Thi Hai Yen in the morning’s final. But she bounced back to beat Myanmar’s Ohn Mar Pyo 5-3 in the Open final.

“I was upset over the defeat in the morning. But I managed to cast it aside to concentrate on the Open final.

“I am happy to make amends and bag my first SEA Games gold medal,” said Yamini, who celebrated her 27th birthday on Wednesday.

An unexpected gold was delivered by Jamalliah, who downed Vietnam’s Nguyen Thi Nga in the women’s over 60kg final.

“After two years in the senior squad, I am happy to have finally bagged my first major victory. My secret to success here was remaining cool in all my fights. My coaches told me to treat the SEA Games just like any other tournament and adopting such a low-key attitude worked well for me,” said the 23-year-old.

Her younger brother, Shahruddin, settled for the bronze in the men’s below 70kg competition.

Two other Malaysian kumite exponents in action yesterday, 2005 Manila Games gold medallist L. Kunasilan and Julian Jarvis, finished empty-handed in the men’s under 60kg and over 75kg categories respectively.

Star

Sea Games: Diving into history

2007-12-14T15:38:00.001+08:00

YEOH Ken Nee rewrote SEA Games history by winning the men’s 3m springboard individual title for the fourth time, beating team-mate Rossharisham Roslan to the gold medal at the Aquatics Centre in the Korat Sports Complex yesterday.

Leong Mun Yee also made it a grand day for Malaysia, bagging the other gold at stake for the day in the women’s 1m springboard individual competition. Elizabeth Jimie also bounced back from a poor performance in the 3m springboard competition the previous day to take bronze for Malaysia.

As the defending champion, Ken Nee started as the favourite yesterday. But he faced a strong challenge from Rossharisham, who was the leader after the first two rounds.

Ken Nee took over with a third dive, which earned him 76.50. He went on to take the gold with a six-dive total of 444.05.

Golden splash: Leong Mun Yee in action during the women's 1m springboard yesterday. Mun Yee won the gold.

Rossharisham settled for silver on 436.65 ahead of Filipino Zardo Domenios (407.40).

“I did not use a high degree of difficulty and I am satisfied with my performance here. Rossharisham gave me a tough fight today and he is constantly making improvement,” said the 24-year-old Ken Nee.

The 3m individual springboard competition yesterday also exposed the antiquated diving board. Thailand’s Meerit Insawang and Filipino Carog Nino hit the board in their first and fifth attempts respectively.

Meerit was lucky to escape unhurt but Carog needed medical attention after scraping his leg against the board.

“The springs is stiffer and it is dangerous if the divers try to execute a high degree of difficulty,” said Ken Nee.

Mun Yee also successfully defended her 1m springboard title by garnering a total of 278.30 points.

And Filipina Sheila Mae Perez, who beat Mun Yee to the 3m springboard gold on Wednesday, pipped Elizabeth to the silver on her last attempt.

She had a total of 265.80 against 263.10 for Elizabeth.

Malaysia are expected to boost up their gold medal tally today.

Five finals will be contested in the men’s and women’s 3m springboard synchronised, women’s 10m platform synchronised, men’s 1m springboard and 10m platform individual.

Star

Malaysia stay on course for two golds

2007-12-14T15:37:00.001+08:00

MALAYSIA are in contention for two gold medals from sailing after the penultimate day of competition at the Ocean Marina Yacht Club in Pattaya yesterday.

Mohd Romzi Mohamad has a three-point lead over Singapore's Koh Seng Leong after 11 races in the International Laser event.

Romzi has won seven races and finished second in the remaining races.

The lowest scores of two races do not count in the final classification for medals and only the Singaporean can deny Romzi the gold.

Thai sailor Manat Phothong, who is in bronze medal position, has a total of 28 points.

In the Laser Radial competition, Nurul Elia Anuar is locked in a tight battle with Singapore's Siobhan Tam.

Nurul has 12 points after 11 races and trail the Singaporean by just one point. Nurul has won five races, one few than Siobhan and has to beat the Singaprean today to take the gold.

Malaysia's hopes to maintain their proud record in the Optimist event is as good as over.

Mohd Asri Nazrin is in third position in the boy's event with 16 points and trails Asian Games silver medallist Navee Thamsoontorn by four.

Alissa Chew has the uphill task of overhauling a four-point deficit in the girls' event. She trailed Singapore's Rachel Lee in third place on 13 points.

Mohd Asri Nazrin, Alissa, Mohd Afendy Kharunisa, Koh Boon Quan and Mohd Afendy Khairul Nizam secured a bronze for Malaysia in the optimist team racing on Wednesday.

The team garnered three penalty points while Thailand beat the more fancied Singapore, silver medallists in the world championships, to the gold.

Star

Veteran Chow leads Malaysia to one-point win over hosts

2007-12-14T15:36:00.002+08:00

TEARS of joy flowed freely in the Malaysian camp as the women’s basketball team won their fourth consecutive SEA Games gold medal at the Keelapirom Stadium last night.

And they achieved it in the most dramatic fashion, coming from behind to beat hosts Thailand 61-60 in extra time.

The Malaysians were up against the odds from the start when they trooped on to the court to the deafening sounds generated by the Thai supporters.

They trailed 27-31 and 38-40 going into the fourth and final quarter of the match to decide the gold medallists in the round-robin competition. But the Malaysians kept up the pressure and levelled the score at 55-55 with 30 seconds remaining on the clock.

Region’s best: The Philippines’ basketball team rejoice after winning the men’s gold yesterday. – AP

It was the most experienced player in the team, Chow Siao Foong, who turned the tide by sinking a three-pointer in extra time to put Malaysia ahead 58-55 and she came to the rescue again moments later.

Thailand forced their way back into the match to level at 60-60 with four successive free throws but 31-year-old Siao Foong rose to the occasion to sink the winner with 59 seconds on the clock, also from a free throw despite hecklings from the Thai supporters.

Siao Foong said it was the sweetest victory for them to bag the gold after a four-year wait.

Malaysia wrested the gold from Thailand at the 1997 Jakarta Games but women’s basketball was not staged in Brunei two years later. Malaysia were again champions in the 2001 KL Games and retained the title in Vietnam two years later.

Star

Hockey earns two golds, but Sarjit is not happy with display

2007-12-14T15:36:00.001+08:00

THE Malaysian men’s and women’s hockey teams continue to remain unshakeable in the SEA Games.

In the finals at the Queen Sirikit Sports Centre yesterday, the men’s team gave Singapore a 7-0 hockey lesson while the women did the same to Thailand, handing the hosts a 0-6 defeat.

Despite the big win by the men, national coach Sarjit Singh was still not satisfied with their overall performance.

“Malaysia are the regional hockey powerhouse. A lot still needs to be done for us to be a world powerhouse,” said Sarjit.

Women’s team manager Malarvani Annamalai said the two-week training stint the girls underwent in India before the Games helped tremendously in their quest for glory.

Star

Semakin hampiri sasaran - Sepuluh lagi pingat emas dikutip semalam

2007-12-14T15:22:00.000+08:00

(DARI Kiri): Wan Siti Haniza Wan Izahar, Chrystal Lim, Foong Seow Ting dan Jamie Lee meraikan kejayaan memenangi pingat emas gimrama berpasukan.

KORAT – Malaysia hampiri sasaran 64 pingat emas pada ketika Sukan SEA tinggal dua hari saja lagi untuk ditamatkan apabila menambah 10 lagi emas semalam, sekali gus mengumpul 54 emas keseluruhan setakat ini.

Skuad karate-do sekali lagi mempamer persembahan luar biasa, menambah empat lagi pingat emas pada hari kedua acara itu semalam, sekali gus mengumpul lapan emas keseluruhan dan menjadikan mereka sukan paling cemerlang di Korat.

Turut menyumbangkan emas negara semalam adalah terjun (2), hoki (2), bola keranjang wanita (1) dan gimrama berpasukan (1).

Pada ketika edisi ke-24 Sukan SEA hanya berbaki dua hari untuk diharungi, kontinjen negara perlu mencari tambahan 10 lagi emas bagi memenuhi sasaran 64 emas yang diletakkan Majlis Sukan Negara (MSN).

Di atas kertas, jumlah tersebut mampu dipenuhi. Malah, hari ini saja kita berharap untuk menambah sekurang-kurangnya tujuh atau lapan lagi emas daripada acara terjun, gimrama, taekwando, boling dan sekali lagi, karate-do.

Malaysia juga mempunyai beberapa acara yang berpotensi menambah emas pada hari terakhir esok, dengan gimrama menawarkan empat lagi pingat – kita adalah pilihan dalam semua acara, terjun pula menawarkan dua emas dalam acara kegemaran penerjun kita, manakala sukan pelayaran tiba ke kemuncak perlumbaan.

Semalam, Lim Yoke Wai mengetuai kecemerlangan karate dengan meraih emas keduanya dalam acara kumite lelaki terbuka selepas memenangi emas pertama dalam kelas bawah 65kg kelmarin.

G. Yamini pula membuktikan kehebatannya selaku juara Asia dengan menjuarai pertarungan terbuka wanita, sekali gus menebus kegagalannya dalam saingan akhir kumite bawah 60kg.

Dua lagi emas karate-do disumbangkan oleh Jamaliah Jamaluddin dalam kategori 60kg wanita dan S. Mahendran, yang bertarung dalam saingan kumite 75kg lelaki.

Hari ini jaguh karate negara akan kembali ke gelanggang untuk pertarungan kumite lelaki dan wanita berpasukan.

Pada asalnya, ia bukanlah acara sasaran kita, namun melihat aksi luar biasa yang dipertonton sepanjang dua hari pertama saingan, tiada siapa mampu menafikan Malaysia adalah pilihan utama untuk memenangi dua emas terakhir.

Di kolam renang, Leong Mun Yee menebus kegagalannya dalam acara 3 meter papan anjal wanita kelmarin apabila memenangi emas 1m.

Yeoh Ken Nee terdahulu memberikan emas pertama terjun dengan mempertahankan kejuaraan 3m papan anjal lelaki, menewaskan rakan senegara, Rossharisham Roslan di tempat kedua.

Terjun menawarkan lima lagi pingat emas hari ini, dan Malaysia berada pada kedudukan baik untuk memenangi empat daripadanya dengan penerjun Olimpik, Bryan Nickson akan memulakan saingan acara platform.

Ken Nee sekali lagi menjadi harapan Malaysia untuk menambah dua emas dalam acara 1m dan 3m papan anjal serentak (bersama Rossharisham), manakala Bryan bertanding dalam 10m platform.

Wanita turut menaruh satu emas daripada gandingan Mun Yee-Elizabeth Jimie yang akan beraksi dalam 3m papan anjal, sementara kombinasi Cheong Jun Hoong-Pandelela Rinong turun dalam saingan 10m platform serentak.

Sementara itu, gimrama memulakan pemburuan lima pingat emas dengan memenangi emas pertama dalam acara berpasukan, menerusi gandingan hebat Chrystal Lim, Foong Seow Ting, Jamie Lee Yoke Jeng dan Wan Siti Haniza Wan Izahar.

Chrystal dan Seow Ting, selaku gimnas paling senior di dalam skuad menjadi pertarungan terbaik untuk memenangi emas all-around individu hari ini.

Hoki pula memenuhi sasaran dua pingat emas dengan penuh bergaya apabila skuad lelaki dan wanita membelasah lawan masing-masing pada perlawanan akhir.

Jika skuad lelaki menundukkan Singapura 7-0 dalam perlawanan akhir, pasukan wanita pula nyata bukan tandingan Thailand apabila menang besar 6-0.

Pasukan bola keranjang wanita pula dipaksa mengharungi detik yang mendebarkan apabila menundukkan seteru utamanya, Thailand hanya dengan satu mata sebelum mengesahkan emas. Malaysia menang 61-60.

Selepas menyumbangkan tiga emas, boling gagal menambah pungutan pingat emas dalam acara Masters lelaki dan wanita semalam selepas Esther Cheah dan Zulmazran Zulkifli hanya mampu membawa pulang perak dan gangsa.

Begitu pun, tenpin boling berharap untuk menamatkan saingan dengan sekurang-kurangnya sebutir emas, yang sekali gus akan memenuhi sasaran empat emas apabila turun dalam acara beregu campuran hari ini.

Turut berharap untuk menambah pingat emas hari ini adalah taekwando, yang menyaksikan atlet Olimpik negara, Elaine Teo beraksi dalam kategori 51kg wanita.

Dua hari sebelum Temasya ditutup, Malaysia masih kekal di tangga ketiga kedudukan pingat keseluruhan dengan mengumpul 54 emas, 45 perak dan 82 gangsa.

Thailand sudah pun mengesahkan kejuaraan walau pun Sukan SEA masih berbaki dua hari selepas terlalu jauh meninggalkan negara lain dengan mengumpul 154 emas, meninggalkan Vietnam di tempat kedua dengan 60 emas.

Utusan

Karate hebat, rangkul empat lagi pingat emas

2007-12-14T15:21:00.002+08:00

(DARI Kiri): S. Mahendran, Lim Yoke Wai, Jamaliah Jamaludin dan G. Yamini gembira menambah empat lagi pingat emas daripada acara karate-do di Korat.

KORAT – Langkah kanan skuad karate negara dalam Sukan SEA Korat di Dewan Kebkanjana, Kolej Teknologi Korat semakin melebar pada hari kedua setelah mereka memungut empat lagi pingat emas sambil Lim Yoke Wei menambah koleksi dua emas peribadi.

Selepas menjuarai kumite 65kg lelaki kelmarin, Yoke Wei menguasai kategori lelaki terbuka dengan menewaskan Yulisar Motuty dari Indonesia 6-3, manakala tiga lagi emas diraih oleh Jamaliah Jamaludin (kumite atas 60kg), G. Yamini (kumite terbuka wanita) dan S. Mahendran (kumite bawah 75kg lelaki).

Kata Mahendran, 26,: “Menang tipis 1-0 ke atas juara bertahan, Christo Mondolu dari Indonesia membuktikan kehebatan pertarungan kami. Kali ini saya memang puas dan gembira meraih mata kemenangan hanya dengan tumbukan tepat.”

Pendekar karate kelahiran Segamat, Johor ini menambah: “Ini emas untuk tunang saya, S. Saritha dan keluarga saya.”

Jamaliah, 21, pula membawa kejutan buat kem negara apatah lagi Korat hanya penampilan sulungnya dalam Sukan SEA selepas menumpaskan Nguyen Thi Nga dari Vietnam 3-0.

Gadis ibu kota ini hanya menerapkan taktik mengawal setiap inci gelanggang sekali gus mengekang sebarang serangan lawan sebelum mencuri pukulan balas yang menghasilkan mata.

Yamini mempamerkan kebangkitan dengan menundukkan Cherli Tugdy dari Filipina 5-3 untuk menjuarai terbuka wanita sekali gus menebus kekalahan mengejutnya kepada Vu Thi Nguyen Anh dari Vietnam dalam kumite bawah 60kg.

“Sasaran awal ialah bawah 60kg tetapi bila dapat yang terbuka, saya tetap gembira,” katanya.

Malaysia turut menambah sebutir perak melalui Yamini dan sebutir gangsa menerusi Shahrudin Jamaludin dalam bawah 70kg lelaki.

Utusan

Mun Yee tebus emas

2007-12-14T15:21:00.001+08:00

KORAT – Leong Mun Yee menebus kekalahannya dalam acara 3m papan anjal wanita semalam dengan mengejutkan juara bertahan bagi memenangi acara 1m papan anjal manakala Yeoh Ken Nee mempertahankan pingat emas acara 3m papan anjal lelaki pada saingan acara terjun Sukan SEA ke-24 semalam.

Dalam pertandingan di Stadium Akuatik, Stadium Ulang Tahun Keputeraan itu, Mun Yee yang tumpas kepada Sheila Perez dari Filipina kelmarin, semalam menewaskan Perez dengan keseluruhan mata 278.30 untuk menang emas manakala penerjun Filipina itu hanya memperoleh 265.8 mata untuk perak dan gangsa dimenangi seorang lagi penerjun negara, Elizabeth Jimie dengan 263.10 mata.

Di Manila dua tahun lepas, Mun Yee tewas kepada Perez dalam acara yang sama.

“Saya sangat gembira dengan pencapaian hari ini dan saya kena meningkat lagi untuk layak ke Olimpik,” kata penerjun berusia 23 tahun dari Perak itu.

Dalam acara 3m papan anjal lelaki, Ken Nee tiada masalah untuk mempertahankan emasnya dengan mengutip 444.05 mata manakala rakan senegara Rossharisham Roslan yang mendapat 435.65 mata memperoleh perak.

Ken Nee berkata persembahan Rossharisham hari ini memaksa dia beraksi dengan lebih baik.

“Saya betul-betul bersedia dan Rossharisham memberikan cabaran yang sihat,” kata pemenang pingat perak Sukan Asia Doha dalam acara 3m papan anjal terjun serentak bersama Rossharisham.

Ken Nee berkata temasya kali ini merupakan peluang baginya untuk bersedia sebelum Kejohanan Terjun Dunia di Beijing, China Februari depan.

“Saya sangat berharap untuk layak ke Olimpik,” katanya.

– Bernama

Gimrama tampil aksi emas

2007-12-14T15:20:00.001+08:00

KORAT – Pasukan gimrama Malaysia mengekalkan pingat emas acara berpasukan apabila persembahan mereka lebih berjaya memikat para juri berbanding tuan rumah, Thailand pada saingan akhir di Stadium Tertutup 1, Stadium Ulang Tahun Keputeraan semalam.

Gandingan Chyrstal Lim, Foong Seow Ting, Jamie Lee Yoke Jeng dan Wan Siti Haniza Wan Izahar berjaya mengetepikan rasa gentar dengan sorakan penyokong tuan rumah untuk tenang dalam aksi mereka ketika mereka perlu melakukan yang terbaik untuk mengekalkan emas yang dimenangi di Manila dua tahun lepas.

Mata keseluruhan gimnas-gimnas negara dalam pilihan tiga daripada empat disiplin – gelung, tali, kelab dan reben – dalam masa dua hari pertandingan adalah 149.961 berbanding Thailand 147.787 yang menang perak dan pemenang gangsa Vietnam dengan 114.950 mata.

Hanya satu pingat emas ditawarkan dalam acara gimrama semalam.

Dalam saingan dua hari itu, Wen Chean merupakan gimnas terbaik negara dengan mengumpulkan 46.212 mata manakala Seow Ting 44.712 mata.

Tiga mata terbaik setiap gimnas akan menentukan mata keseluruhan pasukan.

Walaupun Malaysia menang emas, catatan individu terbaik dilakukan gimnas Thailand, Sridee Tharathip dengan 46.412 mata dan beliau dijangka menjadi pilihan untuk menafikan peluang juara bertahan, Seow Ting untuk mengekalkan emas individu keseluruhan hari ini.

Pengurus pasukan gimnastik Tan Gin Soon berkata gimrama telah menyumbangkan lima emas di Manila dan kemenangan semalam pasti memberi semangat untuk mereka mengulanginya.

“Gimnas Thailand, Sridee cemerlang hari ini (semalam), terutama di depan penyokong sendiri dan dia perlu diberi perhatian dalam acara individu,” katanya.

Utusan

Cai Lin permata baru renang negara

2007-12-14T15:17:00.000+08:00

KORAT – Perenang sensasi negara, Khoo Cai Lin mempamerkan prestasi yang menakjubkan pada Sukan SEA ke-24 di sini, memenangi dua pingat emas dengan catatan rekod baru kejohanan dan memecahkan rekod kebangsaan yang telah bertahan selama 19 tahun.

Perenang berusia 19 tahun itu mencipta rekod baru dalam acara 400m dan 800m gaya bebas wanita dengan catatan 4:18.20 dan 8:47:80, mengatasi catatan lama 4:19.13 dan 8:58.88.

Catatannya dalam 800m gaya bebas telah memadamkan rekod kebangsaan 8:47.98 yang dilakukan legenda renang wanita negara, Nurul Huda Abdullah dalam pertandingan di China pada 1988.

Sukan SEA Korat adalah yang ketiga buat Cai Lin. Dia membuat penampilan pertama pada Sukan SEA 2003 di Hanoi dengan hanya menang satu pingat emas (800m gaya bebas) tetapi gagal memenangi sebarang pingat pada Sukan SEA Manila dua tahun lepas kerana demam panas dan selesema.

Cai Lin memulakan penglibatan dalam renang menerusi renang berirama tetapi kemudian beralih kepada pertandingan renang jarak jauh. Dia dilatih oleh Gavin Urquhart dari Australia.

Selepas berakhirnya acara renang Sukan SEA Korat, perenang kelahiran Selangor itu berkata dia akan ke Amerika Syarikat untuk melanjutkan pelajarannya dan bertanding dalam pertandingan pra-Olimpik pada Januari depan.

“Saya berharap untuk layak dalam lebih banyak acara dan menang pingat pada Sukan Olimpik tahun depan,” katanya.

Dia sudah melayakkan diri ke Sukan Olimpik Beijing dalam acara kegemarannya, 400m dan 800m gaya bebas.

Utusan

Pembangunan atlit wanita perlu diberi lebih tumpuan

2007-12-14T10:13:00.001+08:00

PERSATUAN sukan kebangsaan perlu memberikan lebih perhatian terhadap pembangunan atlit wanita kerana mereka sudah terbukti mampu menghasilkan kejayaan buat negara pada masa depan.

Presiden Majlis Olimpik Malaysia (MOM), Tunku Tan Sri Imran Tuanku Jaa'far berkata pemain bowling wanita negara adalah antara contoh atlit wanita yang berjaya menampilkan persembahan terbaik di Sukan Sea kali ini.

"Pemain bowling wanita sudah membuktikan beberapa kali keupayaan mereka selama ini.

"Dan saya rasa ini adalah satu sebab kenapa persatuan sukan kebangsaan seharusnya menggembeleng usaha yang lebih untuk membangunkan atlit wanita," katanya yang ditemui ketika melawat skuad negara di SF Strike Bowl, Bangkok, semalam.

Secara keseluruhannya, Tunku Imran bangga dengan persembahan atlit wanita Malaysia pada tahun ini sambil menjelaskan mereka datang tepat pada ketika diperlukan.

"Atlit wanita kita terbukti menampilkan persembahan terbaik tahun ini terutamanya (pemain badminton) Wong Mew Choo yang memenangi gelaran Siri Super Terbuka China buat kali pertama dan menewaskan ramai pemain handalan China.

"Pemain badminton dan tiga pemanah lelaki membanggakan kita kerana berjaya layak ke Olimpik secara merit. Mereka seharusnya mengekalkan tahap terbaik dalam permainan mereka pada tahun depan dan beraksi dengan baik seperti tahun ini," katanya.

Ditanya mengenai Sukan Olimpik Beijing tahun depan, Tunku Imran yakin temasya empat tahun sekali itu akan menjadi medan buat atlit negara mencipta sejarah bagi mendapatkan keputusan terbaik bagi mengembalikan maruah negara selepas gagal pada 2000 dan 2004.

"Saya berharap akan dapat melihat persembahan terbaik daripada atlit kita terutama pemain badminton. Memang kita mahu memenangi pingat tetapi apa yang lebih penting ialah mereka dapat mencipta pencapaian peribadi terbaik.

"Kerana itu, mereka perlu mencipta tahap persembahan lebih berkualiti di Olimpik bagi memastikan penampilan yang lebih terpuji dalam saingan terbaik di sana nanti," katanya.

Berita Harian

THE BIGGEST UPSET IN TABLE TENNIS BY NG SOCK KHIM

2007-12-13T14:20:00.000+08:00

On December 9 2007, Ng Sock Khim from Malaysia (World Ranking 286) created the BIGGEST upset in the Women Singles Group Qualifying matches by beating China born, Li Jiawei (World Ranking 6) from Singapore 3 -2 to enter the semi-finals.

Before the match no one expected Sock Khim to qualify as only the top player from each of the 4 groups qualify for the semi-finals

However, this petite lass from Kedah did the impossible task by showing her strong fighting spirit to edge her much stronger and higher ranked opponent.

On December 10 2007 morning Sock Khim went on the beat Muangsuk Anissara (World Ranking 130) from Thailand 4 - 2 with the score 11-4, 8-11, 11-0, 6-11, 11-9 to enter the final

In the afternoon, she lost to another China born Singaporean Wang Yuegu (World Ranking 8) 0 - 4 with the score being 4-11, 8-11, 2-11, 4-11

Although Sock Khim did not win the gold medal, the silver medal is rewarding enough for her efford.

Malaysia and the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) and the Table Tennis Association of Malaysia (TTAM is very proud of her achievement.

13 emas pintas Singapura

2007-12-13T11:06:00.000+08:00

KAYUHAN EMAS... Atlet Lumba basikal Malaysia mengangkat tangan meraikan kejayaan memenangi emas dalam acara 4km kejar mengejar berpasukan pada Sukan SEA di Korat, Thailand, semalam.

KORAT – Malaysia melonjak ke tangga ketiga kedudukan pingat keseluruhan buat kali pertama selepas mengutip 13 emas semalam, pencapaian terbesar kita pada Sukan SEA ke-24 selepas lebih seminggu Temasya berlangsung.

Karate-do memulakan saingan dengan menggondol empat emas, manakala boling padang dikejutkan dengan kekalahan juara Sukan Komanwel dua kali, Siti Zalina Ahmad, namun masih mampu memberikan empat emas.

Lumba basikal menghadiahkan pingat emas keempat mereka dengan menambah dua lagi semalam, sementara ekusterian, taekwondo dan memanah masing-masing menyumbang satu emas.

Selepas genap seminggu Sukan SEA ke-24 dilangsungkan secara rasmi, kontinjen negara berjaya mengumpul 44 pingat emas, kurang 20 emas daripada yang disasarkan pada ketika Temasya tinggal tiga hari untuk ditutup.

Mereka berjaya mengetepikan Singapura daripada kedudukan ketiga pungutan pingat, namun masih di belakang Thailand yang meraih 119 emas dan Vietnam dengan 57 pingat emas.

Karate, yang masih mempunyai dua hari kejohanan - hari ini dan esok sekali lagi menjadi pertaruhan Malaysia untuk membantu mencari baki 20 emas yang diperlukan.

Semalam, Ku Jit Keat dan Lim Lee Lee mengetuai hari cemerlang negara apabila mempertahankan kejuaraan kata lelaki dan wanita individu, sebelum juara Asia, R. Puvaneswaran dan Lim Yoke Wai menambah dua lagi emas dalam acara bawah 55 dan 65kg lelaki.

Hari ini, karate berpotensi menambah tiga lagi emas dengan Yoke Wei sekali lagi turun ke gelanggang, kali ini bertanding dalam kelas terbuka.

Turut menjadi pertaruhan adalah juara Asia, G. Yamini yang akan bertanding dalam dua saingan - bawah 60kg dan terbuka wanita, manakala L. Kunasilan turun mempertahankan gelaran 60kg lelaki yang dimenangi pada Sukan SEA 2005.

Seperti yang dijanjikan, boling padang menjadi lubuk emas Malaysia, namun kejayaan itu sedikit tercemar dengan kekalahan mengejut Siti Zalina.

Siti Zalina, 26, dikejutkan oleh pemain tuan rumah, Songsin Tsao pada perlawanan akhir, namun mujurlah kegagalannya itu berjaya ditebus rakan-rakan lain.

Gandingan Azim Azami Ariffin-Mohd. Amir Yusof menghadiahkan emas dalam acara beregu lelaki, manakala kombinasi Fairul Izwan Abdul Muin, Mohd. Azwan Shuhaimi dan Zulhilmie Redzuan meraih emas trio lelaki.

Dua lagi emas menerusi beregu wanita Azlina Arshad-Emma Firyana Saroji dan trio Maisarah Aminludin, Nor Fidrah Noh serta Nor Hashimah Ismail.

Seperti dijangkakan, pelumba Malaysia mempamer aksi mantap dalam perlumbaan basikal pecut apabila mendominasi dua saingan akhir, di mana Josiah Ng berjaya mengalahkan Mohd. Azizulhasni Awang.

Malaysia turut menambah emas kedua di velodrom menerusi kombinasi Amir Mustapha Rusli, Jasmin Ruslan, Akmal Amrun dan Mohd. Harif Salleh yang memenangi acara 4km kejar mengejar berpasukan.

Qabil Ambak Mahamad Fathil pula memastikan Malaysia menyapu kesemua empat emas yang ditawarkan dalam acara ekuestrian setakat ini dengan muncul juara show jumping individu, iaitu emas keempatnya berturut-turut.

Selepas memenangi acara recurve individu, Cheng Chu Sian membantu skuad memanah meraih emas kedua dalam recurve berpasukan bersama Muhammad Marbawi Sulaiman dan Wan Mohd. Khalmizam Wan Abd. Aziz.

Turut menjadi menyumbangkan pingat emas semalam adalah Che Chew Chan yang mempamer pertarungan terhebat ketika menjuarai acara taekwondo 72kg wanita.

Malaysia berharap untuk mengutip sekurang-kurangnya sembilan lagi emas, menghampiri sasaran keseluruhan Majlis Sukan Negara (MSN) iaitu 64 emas.

Selain karate-do, yang berkedudukan baik untuk memberikan sekurang-kurangnya tiga lagi pingat emas, prospek Malaysia juga adalah dalam acara terjun, hoki dan lumba basikal.

Yeoh Ken Nee akan turun mempertahankan kejuaraan 3m papan anjal lelaki, manakala Leong Mun Yee cuba menebus kegagalannya dalam 3m papan anjal wanita semalam dengan beraksi dalam saingan 1m hari ini.

Hoki pula menjanjikan pingat emas yang cerah, terutama dalam saingan lelaki, di mana Malaysia akan bertemu Singapura dalam perlawanan akhir. Kita membelasah Singapura 7-1 pada pertemuan peringkat kumpulan.

Hoki wanita menemukan Malaysia dengan musuh tradisi, Thailand, pasukan yang dikalahkannya 1-0 dalam saingan awal.

Basikal akan cuba mempertahankan salah satu daripada dua emas lebuh raya yang dimenangi di Filipina dua tahun lalu, dan peluang terbaik adalah menerusi dua pelumba yang berpengkalan di Eropah, Fauzan Lufti dan Ng Yong Li.

Turut menjadi tumpuan hari ini adalah acara boling yang menawarkan dua emas terakhir di Bangkok, dan prospek terbaik Malaysia adalah dalam Masters Wanita, di mana Esther Cheah berjaya mendahului blok pertama semalam.

Utusan

Karate melombong emas

2007-12-13T11:04:00.000+08:00

KORAT – Skuad karatedo negara seolah- olah menjadikan Dewan Kebkanjana, Kolej Teknologi Korat seperti ‘lombong emas’ apabila memenangi empat daripada lapan pingat tersebut dalam Sukan SEA Korat, semalam.

Ia hasil kerahan kudrat dan titisan keringat tiga pendekar - Lim Lee Lee, 33, Ku Jin Keat, 32 dan R. Puvaneswaran, 33 selain wira muda bersemangat tinggi, Lim Yoke Wai.

Puvaneswaran meraih emas keempatnya dalam Sukan SEA terakhirnya di sini selepas memenangi kumite kategori 55kg mengatasi atlet Vietnam, Pham Hoai Long, 6-2.

"Biarlah muka baru menggantikan saya kerana sumbangan saya dalam lima Sukan SEA sudah memadai. Tiada apa yang perlu dibuktikan lagi kecuali kepada Sukan Asia dan Kejohanan Dunia selepas ini,” katanya.

Jin Keat pula mengekalkan emas di Filipina, dua tahun lalu dalam kata individu lelaki menewaskan Noel Espinosa dari Filipina.

Dia bagaimanapun masih belum puas menikmati aksi Sukan SEA walaupun temasya Korat merupakan penampilan keenamnya.

Lee Lee pula menguasai kata wanita malah mempertahankan emas 2005 selepas menundukkan Nguyen Hoang Ngan dari Vietnam dalam acara individu.

Emas keempat diraih Yoke Wai dalam kumite 65kg lelaki dengan menewaskan Donny Dharmawan dari Indonesia 3-2 dalam ‘sudden death.’

Malaysia turut memenangi sebutir perak melalui kata berpasukan wanita daripada gandingan Lee Lee, Thoeh Ai Poh dan Chin Fang Ying.

Begitu juga tiga gangsa hasil penangan kata berpasukan lelaki, A Vasantha (kumite 48kg) dan G. Vathana (kumite 58kg).

– Utusan

Trek sapu dua emas terakhir

2007-12-13T11:03:00.000+08:00

KORAT – Skuad basikal trek negara menutup tirai saingan Sukan SEA dengan menyapu dua pingat emas terakhir yang ditawarkan sambil kuartet 4km kejar mengejar lelaki memecahkan dua rekod sekali gus iaitu rekod kebangsaan dan Sukan SEA di Velodrom Keputeraan Raja Thai Ke-80, semalam.

Kejayaan Josiah Ng dan kuartet 4km kejar mengejar berpasukan itu meredakan sedikit kekecewaan kem negara yang sudah pun tersasar emas kerana sepatutnya membawa pulang enam emas daripada temasya kali ini.

Dua emas terakhir semalam hanya cukup untuk skuad basikal trek negara meraih empat emas kesemuanya daripada tiga hari pertandingan.

Sebelum ini, dua pingat emas negara disumbang pasukan pecut lelaki dan Mohd. Rizal Tisin dalam acara 1km ujian.

Semalam pada perlumbaan akhir, Josiah menewaskan rakan sepasukan, Azizul Hasni Awang dalam acara kegemarannya 200 meter pecut lelaki.

Di separuh akhir, Josiah menewaskan pelumba Thailand, Charaspong Niwanit manakala Azizul menewaskan pelumba Indonesia, Asep Suryaman.

Sementara itu, gandingan Amir Mustapha Rusli, Jasmin Ruslan, Akmal Amrun dan Mohd. Harif Salleh mengatasi tekanan dan sorakan penonton tuan rumah sebelum memenangi emas acara 4km kejar mengejar berpasukan lelaki dengan catatan rekod baru kebangsaan dan Sukan SEA.

Kuartet muda negara itu mencatat masa 4min: 29.910s untuk meninggalkan pasukan Thailand jauh di belakang yang terpaksa berpuas hati dengan perak. Gangsa menjadi milik pasukan Filipina.

Rekod lama kebangsaan acara ini ialah 4min:34s manakala rekod lama Sukan SEA ialah 4min:31s

"Saya puas hati kerana mereka masih muda tetapi sudah berjaya memecahkan dua rekod sekaligus. Saya sendiri terkejut mereka mampu mencatat masa sebaik ini," kata jurulatih, Ng Joo Ngan selepas perlumbaan.

Selain dua emas, Malaysia turut meraih satu gangsa semalam menerusi Fatehah Mustapha dalam acara 200 meter pecut wanita. Fatehah menewaskan pelumba Filipina, Apryl Eppinger dalam perlumbaan penentuan tempat ke-3/4.

Utusan

Pemanah tepati sasaran

2007-12-13T11:01:00.000+08:00

KORAT – Skuad memanah negara berjaya menambah emas menerusi pasukan recurve lelaki pada hari terakhir saingan di Padang 2, Universiti Teknologi Suranaree di sini, semalam tetapi kejayaan itu masih gagal membantu Persatuan Memanah Kebangsaan Malaysia (NAAM) mencapai sasaran yang ditetapkan oleh Majlis Sukan Negara (MSN).

Seperti dijangka, pasukan recurve lelaki semalam tidak menghampakan kontinjen negara yang semakin terdesak mencari emas apabila menewaskan Indonesia pada perlawanan akhir.

Gandingan Cheng Chu Sian, Muhammad Marbawi Sulaiman dan Wan Mohd. Khalmizam Wan Abd. Aziz mengumpul 213 mata berbanding Indonesia 211 mata. Pingat gangsa dimenangi Filipina.

Malang bagi Malaysia yang sepatutnya mampu menambah satu lagi pingat emas tetapi gagal melakukannya apabila pasukan recurve wanita tewas pada perlawanan akhir kepada Indonesia.

Gandingan S. Anbarasi, Irza Hanie Abu Samah dan Noor Azira Taip hanya mampu mengumpul 198 mata berbanding Indonesia 204 mata. Gangsa menjadi milik Thailand.

Sebelum ini, pingat emas pertama negara dalam acara memanah disumbang oleh Chu Sian dalam acara individu recurve lelaki, kelmarin.

Pengurus pasukan, Muhammad Yazid Yahya berkata, pihaknya gembira dengan pencapaian itu kerana ia memenuhi sasaran NAAM tetapi sedikit kecewa kerana gagal mendapat emas bonus daripada pasukan recurve wanita.

Malaysia turut memenangi pingat gangsa dalam acara compound lelaki berpasukan.

“Apa pun kami berjaya mengulangi kejayaan pasukan recurve lelaki yang pernah menang emas pada Sukan SEA 2003 di Vietnam,” ujarnya.

Pada temasya di Filipina dua tahun lalu, pasukan recurve lelaki hanya memenangi pingat gangsa tetapi keseluruhannya berjaya membawa pulang tiga emas menerusi individu compound lelaki, recurve wanita berpasukan dan compound lelaki berpasukan.

– Utusan

South Korean helps jittery recurve team to wrest the gold

2007-12-13T10:57:00.000+08:00

THE Malaysian men’s recurve archers almost became their own worst enemies yesterday.

But South Korean coach Lee Jae-hyung helped to calm the nerves of Cheng Chu Sian, Wan Mohd Khalmizam Wan Abdul Aziz and Mohd Marbawi Sulaiman during the breaks and they went on to wrest the gold from Indonesia at the Suranaree University of Technology in Korat.

They defeated the Indonesians, led by singles bronze medallist Sulistyawan Rahmat, 213-211 in a 48-arrow shoot final played over four ends.

While the men regained the gold, there were heartbreaks for the women in their defence of the title and also the men's compound team.

The women's recurve team of S. Anabarasi, Irza Hanie Abu Samah, Noor Azira Taip were beaten 198-204 by Indonesia in the final while the men's compound team settled for a bronze, beating Singapore 217-212 in the playoff.

With the success of the men's recurve team, Malaysia ended their campaign in archery with a haul of 2-2-1. The other gold was won by the 21-year-old Chu Sian in the individual recurve on Tuesday.

Chu Sian said that the pressure almost got to the team yesterday.

“We had three Olympians in the men's team. The expectations to deliver were so high on us and we allowed it to affect our game today. We certainly could have scored higher,” he said.

“The coach kept encouraging us. Fortunately, we hung in there to achieve our target here – to win both the individual and team gold medals.”

Chu Sian added that the SEA Games exposed their lack of mental strength and they needed to work on this aspect in their preparation for next year's Beijing Olympics.

Marbawi, surprisingly, was the most jittery archer and he was relieved that he did not let the team down.

“I could have spoiled it for Malaysia today. But team spirit was high and I was able to hang in there. I am disappointed with my score and hopefully, I will get back my touch in my preparation for the Olympics,” he said.

Jae-hyung was happy that the recurve team kept true to their words by winning both the men's gold medals.

“There were no national mark or Games record but the boys delivered what was expected from them. I am satisfied with that. They were just too tense today. And that is something I need to work on,” he said.

“The target for the women was to reach the final and I am happy that they also lived up to expectations. We have new faces in the women’s team but I am sure they will only get stronger as a team the next time around.”

Star

Karate exponents meet four-gold target after first day’s action

2007-12-13T10:56:00.001+08:00

Golden farewell: Malaysian karate exponent R. Puvaneswaran slugging it out with Vietnam’s Pham Hoai Long in the men’s under 55kg category in Korat yesterday. Puvaneswaran bade farewell to the SEA Games by winning the gold medal.

KUMITE exponents R. Puvaneswaran and Lim Yoke Wai ensured that the Malaysian karate squad met the four-gold target set for them on just the opening day of the three-day competition at the Kebkanjana Hall in Korat yesterday.

Following the two opening victories in the kata individual events in the morning, it was the two Doha Asiad silver medallists’ turn to fight their way to the gold in the below 55kg and 65kg categories respectively.

The 33-year-old Puvaneswaran bade farewell to the SEA Games with a 6-2 victory over Vietnam’s Pham Hoai Long.

It was Hoai Long who made the stronger start, taking a 2-0 lead before the Malaysian veteran found his composure to outclass his opponent.

“In the Asian Championships final earlier this year, I had to go the full distance to beat Pham in sudden death. It was much easier this time around.

“Although I trailed 0-2, I did not panic and chose to bide my time. I won the bout purely on tactics and not skills,” said Puvaneswaran.

The Malaysian exponent, who has now won the SEA Games below 55kg gold medal four times (1999, 2001, 2005 and 2007), announced that he would now only take part in selected high-ranking tournaments, especially those on the European circuit.

Yoke Wai, who won two silvers and a bronze in three previous Games, finally landed the gold. The 26-year-old turned the tables on World Championships bronze medallist Donny Dharmawan of Indonesia in sudden death.

“When Donny forced the bout to go into sudden death on 2-2 in the last few seconds of normal time, I became upset. I was tired of always losing to him in the below 65kg competitions,” said Yoke Wai.

“It is always a 50-50 chance in sudden death and I took a huge risk by going on the offensive. I managed to land a punch on his face, and it ended my six-year wait for a SEA Games gold.”

Another Asian Championships gold medallist, A.Vasantha Marial, failed to live up to her top billing in the women’s below 48kg event.

Vasantha, who was down with flu upon arrival in Korat, was clearly not at her best and went down 0-1 to Vietnam’s Vu Thi Nguyen Anh in the semi-finals.

However, she picked herself up and won her next fight in the repechage to clinch a bronze.

G. Vathana also delivered a bronze in the women’s below 53kg event.

She missed out on a first SEA Games final appearance after going down 2-3 to Vietnam’s Dao Thi Tu Anh in the semi-finals.

With another 10 gold medals in kumite still to be contested today and tomorrow, the national karate exponents are on course to better their best haul of 7-5-4 achieved outside Malaysia during the 1999 Brunei Games.

Star

Qabil repeats four-gold haul

2007-12-13T10:53:00.001+08:00

Qabil, riding Parvina, completed the first round without incurring a single penalty point.

QABIL Ambak Mahammad Fathil repeated his heroics of six years ago when he bagged the showjumping individual title for his fourth gold at Horsehoe Point in Pattaya City yesterday.

After winning the dressage individual and team and the showjumping team gold, Qabil had his eyes fixed on completing his haul of four gold medals.

Riding Parvina, the combination did not miss a beat as they went around the course in the first round without incurring a single penalty point.

Holdng a four-point lead over Diego Lorenzo of the Philippines going into the second and final round, Qabil opted for a conservative ride to ensure the gold did not slip out of his hands.

"It went very well as the horse was in top form and I did not incur any faults in my first ride. I decided to take my time to finish my second ride so I chose to ride safely and only incurred a single-point time penalty," said Qabil, 27.
Lorenzo settled for silver after incurring 17 penalty points while Pongsiree Bunluewong of Thailand won the bronze on 20 points as Malaysia's Syed Omar Almohdzar could only finish fourth on 26 points.

Qabil, who won his ninth gold medal in the Sea Games series, said he hoped to be given a chance for a repeat performance in the future.

"I only decided to compete here three months ago but I immediately set myself the aim of winning four gold. I put all my energy and focus into reaching my target and now that I have, I hope to be given a chance to maybe repeat this one more time," he said.

With Qabil's win, the Malaysian equestrian team have swept all four gold medals contested thus far with the eventing individual and team events still to come.

NST

Ailing Khalmizam puts team before self

2007-12-13T10:52:00.002+08:00

Wan Khalmizam Wan Abdul Aziz.

DESPITE running a high temperature, Wan Mohd Khalmizam Wan Abdul Aziz helped his Malaysian compatriots - Cheng Chu Sian and Muhammad Marbawi Sulaiman - to retain the men's recurve team gold at the Suranaree University of Technology yesterday.

Khalmizam wisely refused to take any medication for fear that he might test positive for doping.

The team amassed 213 points, two more than their Indonesian rivals to win.

Although they won the gold medal, their score was below their best of 225.

Khalmizam said although his body felt hot he had to endure the heat and managed to maintain his average score.
Their women counterparts - Irza Hanie Abdul Samah, S. Anbarasi and Nor Aziera Taip - failed to make it a double when they lost to Indonesia - 204-198 - in the final and had to settle for silver.

Team manager Mohamad Yazid Yahya said all the men performed below par. "But luckily the other teams too were below par so we managed to defend our gold," he said.

Earlier in the day, the Malaysian men's compound team of Soo Teck Kim, Lau Siew Hong and Ting Leong Fong claimed the bronze medal when they beat Singapore. Malaysia amassed 217 points to Singapore's 214.

The compound team, in the semi-finals, managed an impressive 225 score but Vietnam were a point better and advanced to the final.

Yazid admitted the standard has gone up. "Scoring 225 is Asian class yet we lost," he said.

From the team that won the gold in Manila only Teck Kim remains. One of the other members - Lang Hon Keong - is now coaching Thailand's compound team.

NST

Target met on first day

2007-12-13T10:52:00.001+08:00

Asian champion R. Puvaneswaran secured an easy victory over Vietnam's Pham Hoai Long to successfully defend his 55kg kumite title at the Chanapolkhan Institute yesterday. Puvaneswaran won 6-2.

AS promised the karate team delivered four gold medals and as expected R. Puvaneswaran successfully defended his 55kg kumite title at the Chanapolkhan Institute yesterday.

Puvaneswaran, the Asian champion, beat Vietnam's Pham Hoai Long 6-2 in the final.

It was Pham's second loss to the Malaysian who also won when the two met in the final of the Asian Championships in Nilai, Negri Sembilan two months ago.

"I am very happy to win my fourth Sea Games gold," said Puvaneswaran, 33.

"The fight was all purely tactics. I waited for him to make his moves to attack."
"I will continue competing in the Sea Games just to see my standard but I am looking at competing on the European circuit next year." he added.

Malaysia also reigned supreme in the men's kumite 65kg category when Lim Yoke Wai beat Indonesia's Donny Dharmawan 3-2 in the final.

Yoke Wai, 26, who whitewashed Thailand's Somporn Buabun 8-0 in the semi-finals, was aggressive throughout his final

"I needed to be aggressive to get the first point. I controlled my steps and movements so that I would not make silly mistakes. I am glad to win," said Yoke Wai.

Ku Jin Keat and Lim Lee Lee contributed Malaysia's third and fourth gold medals in the kata competition.

Jin Keat beat Noel Espinosa of the Philippines 5-0 in the final, while Lee Lee outscored Vietnam's Nguyen Hoang Ngan 5-0.

Jin Keat and Lee Lee, who have been a pair dating for some time now, also collected gold in the 2001 (Kuala Lumpur) and 2005 (Manila) editions.

"I am happy that I won gold especially after a disappointing outing in Doha," said Jin Jeat referring to the Asian Games where he was a silver medallist.

"I was determined to win a gold here and I am glad I achieved it."

The women's kata team comprising Lee Lee, Thoenh Ai Poh and Chin Fang Yin could only manage silver after losing to Vietnam 5-0.

Their male counterparts - Cheah Boon Chong, Jin Keat and Tan Chee Seng - lost 3-2 to Vietnam in the semi-finals and finished with bronze.

Asian championVasantha Marial, who was also expected to deliver gold in the women's kumite under-49 category, had to settle for bronze following a sudden-death 1-0 loss to Vietnam's Vu Thi Nguyet in the semi-finals.

Newcomer G. Vathana, competing in the women's kumite under-53kg category, beat Myanmar's Nan Saing Main 6-0 for the bronze.

NST

Campaign ends on high note

2007-12-13T10:51:00.001+08:00

Malaysia's (from front) Amir Mustafa, Mohd Akmal Amrun, Mohd Jasmin Ruslan and Mohd Harrif Saleh won the gold in the 4km Team Pursuit.

MALAYSIAN National Cycling Federation president Abu Samah Wahab received a perfect birthday president yesterday when two of his charges won.

The national 4km pursuit team and Josiah Ng lived up to expectations and added two more gold medals bringing Malaysia's total from the velodrome to four after yesterday's final day of events.

The quartet of Amir Mustafa Rusli, Mohd Jasmin Ruslan, Mohammad Akmal Amrun and Mohd Harrif Saleh put on a brilliant performance to defend the gold in 4:27.910s beating Thailand who returned 4:35.290s.

The Malaysian quartet's time also cracked the Sea Games record of 4:31.50s and the national mark of 4:34.00s.

The team kept their composure despite the boisterous home crowd's cheering.
The withdrawal of one of the Thai riders in the seventh lap also helped the Malaysians but team captain Mohd Jasmin said they just concentrated on clocking a good time.

The Philippines, who finished fourth in 4:50.000s. were later upgraded to third after the Indonesians were disqualified.

In the men's individual sprint, Josiah was pushed by rookie teammate Mohd Azizulhasni Awang but for good reason. They finished 1-2 ahead of Indonesia's Asep Suryaman.

Josiah, 27, said Azizul was really pushing. "I am glad he did," said Josiah.

"I am also happy that there are so many riders in Malaysia now. Before this the pressure was only on my shoulders. Now there are so many riders who share the burden to deliver for Malaysia."

NST

Bowlers paint lawn gold

2007-12-13T10:50:00.000+08:00

Lawn bowls women's triples gold medallists (from left) Nor Fidrah Noh, Nor Hashimah and Maisarah Aminluddin pose after their win yesterday.

MALAYSIA swept four gold medals in lawn bowls but there was bitter disappointment for two-time Commonwealth Games champion Siti Zalina Ahmad as she was denied the women's singles gold yet again by a single shot at the Queen Sirikit Sports Centre in Pathum Thani yesterday.

Khairul Anuar Abdul Kadir, Mohd Azwan Shuhaimi and Fairul Izwan Abd Muin regained the men's triples gold for Malaysia while the men's pairs, the women's pairs and women's triples teams successfully defended their titles.

Only Siti Zalina was left to rue her missed chance as Thailand's Songsin Tsao snatched a 21-20 win in the 22nd end as the Malaysian failed for a third time to win a Sea Games gold medal.

But her teammates stayed true to form as the men's triples overwhelmed Thailand 24-11 while the men's pair of Azim Azami Mohd Ariffin and Mohd Amir Mohd Yusof edged the hosts 19-17.

"There was a bit of pressure on us after we lost to the Philippines in our first match and every match after that was a must-win.
"We beat Thailand by two shots in our group match but for the final we wanted to gain an early lead to prevent them from gaining momentum, which we did brilliantly," said Fairul, who won the pairs gold in Manila two years ago.

The women's triples of Maisarah Aminluddin, Nor Fidrah Noh and Nor Hashimah Ismail and the women's pair of Emma Firyani Saroji and Azlina Arshad ensured Malaysia kept a tight grip on the gold medals in their events since lawn bowls made its Sea Games debut in 1999.

Malaysia strolled to a 24-11 win over Thailand in the triples but Emma and Azlina had to dig deep to finally subdue the Philippines 16-15 in the pairs.

Malaysian Lawn Bowls Federation president Tan Sri Ahmad Sarji Abdul Hamid was elated with the four-gold haul which bettered their achievement in Manila by one, but was baffled by the defeats of Siti Zalina and Safuan Said in the singles.

"We set a target of six but I am not disappointed as the four we won is still one of our best results in the Sea Games," said Ahmad Sarji.

"But I am puzzled as to why Safuan, who is ranked No 1 in the world, and Siti Zalina, the World No 3, failed here. It only goes to show that the standard of lawn bowls in the Sea Games has improved tremendously."

Siti Zalina, who was 16-7 down after 11 ends, staged a remarkable recovery to lead 20-19 going into the 22nd end but Songsin won two shots in the final end for her third consecutive singles gold.

NST

Kayuhan hebat di velodrom

2007-12-13T10:45:00.000+08:00

Kuartet 4km kejar mengejar, Josiah Ng buktikan kehebatan henjutan akhir

DUA lagi emas, sebutir perak dan gangsa disumbangkan untuk kontinjen negara dari trek Velodrom Stadium Ulang Tahun di Korat menerusi kuartet kejar mengejar 4km lelaki berpasukan dan 200m pecut lelaki individu, semalam.

Kejayaan itu menyaksikan skuad berbasikal negara muncul pasukan terunggul Asia Tenggara bagi acara trek dengan empat emas, empat perak dan empat gangsa.

Dalam acara kejar mengejar semalam, kuartet negara yang dibarisi Amir Mustafa Rusli, Mohd Jasmin Ruslan, Mohammad Akmal Amrun dan Mohd Harrif Saleh, mencatatkan masa 4:27.910s.

Catatan masa itu turut memecahkan rekod kebangsaan iaitu 4:33.30s serta rekod Sukan Sea di Manila iaitu, 4:31.31s.

Tempat kedua diraih kuartet Thailand manakala ketiga dimenangi Filipina.

Jasmi berkata, semangat berpasukan menjadi kunci kejayaan mereka.

"Apabila kami melihat ada seorang pelumba Thailand yang terkeluar daripada saingan, ia menyebabkan kami lebih bersemangat untuk berlumba dan mencatatkan keputusan terbaik," katanya.

Jurulatih lumba basikal negara, Ng Joo Ngan, berkata beliau gembira kuartet itu membuktikan kemampuan diri mereka memecahkan rekod Sukan Sea.

"Mereka masih muda tetapi sudah mampu memecahkan dua rekod sekali gus. Ini menjadi satu perkembangan baik untuk negara," katanya.

Sementara itu, Josiah Ng membuktikan dirinya masih pakar pecut nombor satu negara apabila menewaskan Mohd Azizulhusni Awang dalam saingan pecut 200m individu.

"Sejak sebelum saingan saya sudah menjangkakan saingan ini membabitkan saya dengan Azizul.

"Dia menjadi ancaman saya dan nyata, saya terpaksa bersaing dalam tiga perlumbaan dengannya untuk meraih emas," katanya sambil memuji kemampuan pelumba muda itu.

Fatehah Mustapa melengkapkan cabaran negara semalam dalam acara kejar mengejar individu dengan menduduki tempat ketiga di belakang pelumba Indonesia, Muzizah Ujun dan pelumba tuan rumah Maneephan Jutaip.

BH

Qabil penuhi impian di Korat

2007-12-13T10:44:00.000+08:00

SEBULAN sebelum mengambil keputusan untuk menyertai Sukan Sea Korat, ekuin negara, Mohd Qabil Mahamad Fathil Ambak sudah menetapkan sasaran peribadi mahu menyamai empat emas yang pernah diciptanya pada saingan di temasya Kuala Lumpur 2001.

Dan semalam, hasrat itu tertunai apabila Qabil bergelar penyumbang emas terbanyak buat Malaysia setakat ini apabila mengungguli saingan final showjumping berpasukan di Horseshoe Point, Pattaya City, malam tadi.

Qabil yang sebelum ini sudah mencipta kejayaan dalam acara dressage berpasukan dan individu serta showjumping berpasukan, jelas masih dahagakan kemenangan apabila mengatasi pencabarnya, Diego Lorenzo dari Filipina yang hanya meraih perak.

Peserta Thailand, Pongsiree Bunluewong bersama kudanya, Kara Joy meraih gangsa dengan kedua-dua peserta Filipina dan Thailand itu masing-masing mencatat 17 dan 20 penalti.

Emas yang dimenangi itu juga adalah emas kesembilan milik ekuin berusia 27 tahun itu di Sukan Sea sejak penampilan pertama pada 1995 dan secara keseluruhan dia sudah memungut 12 pingat.

"Sebelum ke sini saya memang sudah sasarkan untuk memungut empat emas seperti saya lakukan di Kuala Lumpur pada 2001, kerana itu saya lebih fokus untuk bersaing pada kali ini dan cuba mendapatkan keputusan terbaik.

"Hari ini saya menunggang dengan bagus. Pada pusingan pertama saya tidak dikenakan penalti dan ia banyak membantu," katanya yang hanya memungut satu mata penalti.

Qabil turut memuji kudanya Parvina yang menampilkan persembahan cemerlang yang disifatkannya terbaik untuk membentuk gandingan mantap bagi menyumbang emas keempat buat negara dalam acara berkenaan.

"Pada pusingan kedua, saya menunggang dengan agak konservatif kerana tidak mahu dikenakan penalti tetapi saya mengambil sedikit masa untuk menghabiskan semua disiplin menyebabkan saya dikenakan satu penalti," katanya.

Ketika ditanya sama ada ini adalah pembabitan terakhirnya di Sukan Sea selepas berjaya merealisasikan impiannya memungut empat emas, Qabil masih berteka-teki mengenainya.

"Jika acara ini diadakan di Laos mungkin saya masih akan menyertainya," kata Qabil.

Trio lelaki negara tepati sasaran

2007-12-13T10:43:00.000+08:00

GANDINGAN Cheng Chu Sian, Mohd Khalmizan Wan Abdul Malik dan Muhammad Marbawi Sulaiman menepati sasaran apabila memenangi pingat emas acara memanah Recurve berpasukan lelaki tetapi pasukan wanita terpaksa berpuas hati dengan perak pada saingan di Universiti Teknologi Suranaree di Korat, semalam.

Trio Malaysia menewaskan gandingan Indonesia � Mohamed Ali Sofian, Rahmat Sulistyawan dan Hendro Suprianto � dengan kiraan 213-211 pada perlawanan akhir selepas mereka menumpaskan Myanmar 218-208 pada peringkat separuh akhir, awal pagi semalam.

Bagaimanapun, pasukan wanita dianggotai Anbarasi Subramaniam, Irza Hanie Abdul Samah dan Nor Aziera Taip tewas 198-204 dalam perebutan pingat emas kepada trio Indonesia iaitu pemenang pingat emas Recurve individu, Ika Yuliana, pemenang perak Puspitasari Rina Dewi dan Gina Rahayu Sugiharti.

Dengan emas acara berpasukan dan Recurve individu lelaki menerusi Chu Sian, pasukan memanah menamatkan pertandingan yang berakhir semalam dengan dua emas, dua perak dan satu gangsa.

"Kami agak pasti untuk menang emas acara lelaki tetapi akur tugas sukar untuk menewaskan Indonesia. Kami mensasarkan dua emas dan saya gembira berjaya mencapai sasaran.

"Walaupun kami menang tiga pingat emas pada Sukan Sea 2005 di Manila menerusi acara Compound, tetapi kali ini, pasukan Compound masih baru," kata pengurus pasukan Mohammad Yazid Ahmad.

Dalam acara lelaki, Filipina menewaskan Myanmar 208-205 untuk merangkul gangsa manakala Thailand menewaskan Vietnam 198-197 untuk gangsa wanita.

Sementara itu, dalam acara Compound berpasukan lelaki, gandingan Lau Siew Hong, Soo Teck Kim dan Ting Leong Fong menewaskan Singapura 217-212 untuk menang gangsa di belakang Vietnam dan Indonesia yang menang emas dan perak. - Bernama

Sukan Sea: Lee Lee, Jin Keat, Puvan buka langkah kemas

2007-12-13T10:42:00.000+08:00

MALAYSIA membuka gelanggang karate-do Sukan Sea XXIV dengan penuh gemilang apabila memenangi empat daripada lapan emas ditawarkan hasil daripada kekuatan muka-muka lama yang terus gagah di Dewan Kebkanjana, Kolej Teknologi Nakhon Ratchasima, semalam.

Ia permulaan dicari-cari skuad karate-do dan kontinjen Malaysia yang mengharapkan tuaian emas daripada sukan ini selepas agak terkebelakang dalam sasarannya meraih sejumlah 64 emas dalam temasya kali ini.

Malaysia harus berterima kasih kepada tiga atlit seniornya Lim Lee Lee, 33, Ku Jin Keat, 32, dan R Puvaneswaran, 33, yang sudah beraksi dalam lebih daripada lima Sukan Sea serta atlit muda Lim Yoke Wai, yang menyumbangkan emas.

"Ini emas keempat saya dalam Sukan Sea dan mungkin penampilan terakhir saya dalam temasya ini," kata jaguh Malaysia, Puvaneswaran yang memenangi kumite kategori 55kg menewaskan lawannya dari Vietnam, Pham Hoai Long, 6-2.

"Saya mahu memberi laluan kepada muka baru kerana saya rasa sudah cukup sumbangan saya dalam Sukan Sea dan saya tidak perlu membuktikan apa-apa lagi, sebaliknya saya ingin menumpukan kepada temasya lebih besar seperti Sukan Asia dan Kejohanan Dunia."

Jin Keat pula memastikan emas yang dimenangi dua tahun lalu dalam kata individu lelaki tetap berada dalam genggaman apabila memperagakan aksi memukau untuk mengetepikan Noel Espinosa dari Filipina.

"Saya gembira dapat menyumbangkan emas serta mempertahankan kemenangan saya di Manila dua tahun lalu," kata atlit berasal dari Pulau Pinang itu. "Walaupun sudah lebih enam kali beraksi dalam Sukan Sea, saya tidak pernah berasa puas.'

Lee Lee, juga dari Pulau Pinang meneruskan kecemerlangan dalam kata wanita, serta turut mempertahankan emas yang diraih di Manila selepas mengatasi Nguyen Hoang Ngan dari Vietnam dalam acara individu.

"Ini satu kepuasan buat saya," katanya. "Walaupun saya sudah beraksi dalam banyak Sukan Sea, saya masih mempunyai motivasi untuk melakarkan kejayaan. Mungkin kerana saya terlalu sayangkan temasya ini hingga mahu terus beraksi.'

Emas keempat disumbangkan Yoke Wai dalam kumite 65kg lelaki dengan menewaskan Donny Dharmawan dari Indonesia dengan keputusan 3-2 dalam pertarungan sudden death.

"Memang saya begitu yakin dapat memenangi emas sekalipun terpaksa berentap dalam penentuan sudden death," kata Yoke Wei, yang meraih emas pertamanya dalam Sukan Sea sejak beraksi pada 2001 di Kuala Lumpur.

Selain empat emas, Malaysia juga memenangi satu perak melalui kata berpasukan wanita melalui gandingan Lee Lee, Thoeh Ai Poh dan Chin Fang Ying dan tiga gangsa yang disumbangkan kata berpasukan lelaki, A Vasantha (kumite-48kg) dan G Vathana (kumite-58kg).

BH

Hanya satu mata julang Chew Chan

2007-12-13T10:41:00.000+08:00

CHEE Chew Chan menampilkan aksi garang untuk membenam cabaran Bui Thu Hien dari Vietnam dengan kiraan mata 1-0 untuk memenangi pingat emas taekwondo wanita bawah 72kg di Gimnasium Universiti Vongchavalitkul, Korat semalam.

Chew Chan, 23, terpaksa bertarung sengit dengan Thu Hien dan selepas lima pusingan kedua-dua peserta terikat 1-1 sebelum keputusan juri memotong satu mata daripada atlit Vietnam, sekali gus memberikan kemenangan kepada peserta negara.

"Saya gembira kerana berjaya mengulangi kejayaan di Manila dua tahun lalu," kata Chew Chan, 23, yang berasal dari Pontian, Johor. "Ia juga cukup bermakna kerana kini saya sudah memenangi tiga emas dalam empat temasya Sukan Sea.

"Memang saingan cukup sengit, tambahan pula saya berdepan lawan handal dari Vietnam yang memberikan tentangan hebat.

"Pada satu ketika saya berasakan sudah memenangi pertarungan ini apabila mendahului 1-0 selepas tiga pusingan tetapi lawan itu berjaya juga mendapat satu mata pada pusingan terakhir untuk menyamakan kedudukan.

"Tetapi saya gembira juga apabila diberikan kemenangan selepas atlit Vietnam itu dipotong satu mata," katanya yang sudah melayakkan diri ke Sukan Olimpik Beijing selepas memenangi pingat emas di Kejohanan Kelayakan Olimpik zon Asia di Vietnam, awal bulan ini.

Chew Chan beraksi kali pertama dalam Sukan Sea 2001 di Kuala Lumpur apabila membawa pulang emas tetapi dia gagal mengulangi dua tahun kemudian apabila sekadar menyumbang perak di Hanoi.

Tetapi dia bangkit dengan aksi lebih cemerlang untuk kembali memenangi emas dalam kategori yang sama di Manila dua tahun lalu.

BH

Siti Zalina terus diburu malang

2007-12-13T10:40:00.000+08:00

Bangkok, 12 Dis 2007, Atlit lawn bowl negara bersama trofi yang dimenangi muncul juara keseluruhan pada perlawanan akhir di Lawn Bowls Green, Queen Sirikit Sports Centre Phatum Thani di sini. Gambar: Hairul Anuar Abd Rahim. Hairul Anuar Rahim.

Gagal raih gelaran perseorangan ketika rakan sepasukan sumbang empat emas

EMPAT emas berjaya diraih daripada keseluruhan enam ditawarkan pada hari terakhir acara lawn bowl di Queen Siikit Sports Center dekat Pathum Thani, Bangkok, semalam.

Ia memperbaiki catatan hanya tiga emas di temasya Manila dua tahun lalu tetapi masih kurang satu emas dibandingkan pencapaian terbaik negara dengan lima emas di Sukan Sea Kuala Lumpur 2001.

Namun ia menjadi hari paling malang buat dua atlit acara perseorangan, Siti Zalina Ahmad dan Safuan Said apabila masing-masing hanya meraih perak dan gangsa ketika acara beregu lelaki dan wanita dan trio lelaki serta wanita, semuanya bergembira dengan kilauan emas masing-masing.

Siti Zalina yang juga juara Sukan Komanwel sebanyak dua kali dan enam tahun berturut-turut bergelar juara Asia, masih belum dapat menghapus badi kekalahannya sejak 2001 dalam acara perseorangan kepada juara bertahan, Songsing Tsao dari Thailand.

Pemain ranking ketiga dunia itu melakukan cubaan dramatik mengejar pemain Thailand itu apabila ketinggalan 16-7 pada ends ke-11 tetapi usahanya hanya dipisahkan dengan satu mata apabila gagal pada balingan terakhir walaupun mendahului 20-19 bagi memberikan kemenangan buat Songsing 21-20.

"Ia masih tidak mencukupi," kata Siti Zalina yang terus terduduk di green sebaik mendapati balingannya gagal memecahkan bola milik pemain Thailand itu bagi memberikan dua mata terakhir.

Kegagalan Siti Zalina bagaimanapun dibalas dengan kejayaan pemain lelaki dan wanita acara beregu dan trio yang masing-masing bermain dengan cemerlang semalam.

Pemain beregu lelaki diketuai Azim Azami Mohd Ariffin dan Mohd Amir Mohd Yusof mengetepikan Thailand dengan kemenangan 19-17 manakala Zulhilmie Redzuan, Khairul Anuar Abd Kadir serta Fairul Izwan Abd Muin mengatasi trio Thailand dengan kemenangan 24-11.

Beregu wanita diwakili Emma Firyana Saroji dan Azlina Arshad pula memenangi emas selepas menundukkan Filipina 16-15 manakala trio wanita diwakili Maisarah Aminludin, Nor Fidrah Noh dan Nor Hasimah Ismail menang selesa 24-11 menentang Thailand.

Presiden Persekutuan Lawn Bowls Malaysia (PLBM), Tan Sri Ahmad Sarji Abd Hamid ketika ditemui berkata, walaupun gagal menyapu bersih semua emas seperti disasarkan sebelum ini, dia masih berpuas hati dengan pencapaian berkenaan kerana taraf permainan di Sukan Sea kali ini nyata sudah banyak meningkat.

"Taraf permainan sudah banyak meningkat. Safuan hanya dapat gangsa sedangkan dia pemain nombor satu dunia, Siti Zalina ranking ketiga dunia, menang dua kali di Sukan Komanwel serta juara Asia enam kali tetapi tewas di sini.

"Saya sendiri tidak tahu kenapa mereka boleh tewas di sini, mungkin nasib tidak menyebelahi mereka. Tetapi empat daripada enam emas diraih kali ini memperbaiki catatan kita di Manila dan saya tidak kesal," katanya.

BH

13-gold Haul Gives Positive Outlook On Medal Target

2007-12-13T10:35:00.002+08:00

KORAT, Dec 12 (Bernama) -- For the first time, after seven days of competition, there was a positive outlook on Malaysia's 64-gold target as a 13-gold haul today helped raise the gold count to 44.

The search for gold was given a kick start in the morning when Ku Jin Keat and Lim Lee Lee swept the Individual men's and women's Kata gold while R. Puvaneswaran (men's Under 55kg) and Lim Yoke Wai (men's Under 65kg) added two more in the afternoon.

Not to be outdone by Karate-do's four-gold feat, lawn bowls came in with a matching number after winning gold from men's Pairs, women's Pairs, men's Triples and women's Triples.

Cyclists came home with two gold medals through Josiah Ng's Individual Sprint gold and the men's Team Pursuit.

The men's Recurve team shot down one from archery events while equestrian added one more to the tally after Qabil Ambak leaped his way to the gold in the Individual Jumping event.

Che Chew Chan later punched her way to the women's Under 72kg gold to cap a good harvest.

Weightlifter Che Mat Azrol Che Mat, winner of two consecutive SEA Games gold medals at Vietnam and Manila respectively lost the gold on a countback in the men's above 105kg weight category while the women's Kata team finished with a silver.

There were also a number of near misses in weightlifting, diving, karate-do, taekwondo and lawn bowls which could have added to the overall tally.

A much anticipated gold from Leong Mun Yee in the men's 3m Springboard, turned into silver when Sheila Perez of Philippines pipped her to the gold.

Tomorrow, another 62 gold medals are on offer with muay thai and boxing offering the highest number of gold medals with 11 and 10 respectively while karate-do and taekwondo offer seven each.

Other sports offering medals are judo (4), golf (4), softball (2), petanque (2), diving (2), basketball (2), bowling (2), cycling (2), futsal (2), hockey (2), snooker, women's football and gymnastics provide one each.

With three days of competitions left and a total of 135 medals at stake there is every reason to believe that the Malaysian contingent can win another 20 to achieve the target.

--BERNAMA

Chew Chan Saves The Day In Taekwondo

2007-12-13T10:35:00.001+08:00

KORAT, Dec 12 (Bernama) -- Though not in the best of form, national taekwondo exponent Che Chew Chan retained the women's middleweight (below 72kg) title when the taekwondo events opened today at the Vongchavalitkul hall here.

The 179-cm tall Chew Chan, who has yet to fully recover from knee injuries, defeated Vietnam's Bui Thu Hien by a single point in a nerve-wrecking final.

The Vietnamese lost after being penalised a point when both of them were level at 1-1 in the last round.

"I have already qualified for the Beijing Olympics and winning the gold back-to-back after the 2005 Manila Games justifies my position as the best in Southeast Asia," said Chew Chan, 25, a University Putra Malaysia (UPM) Mass Communications student.

Chew Chan, who is from Pontian, Johor, qualified for next year's Olympics in Bejing in the women's below 67kg category alongside team mate Elaine Teo, who qualified for the women's below 57kg category.

There were four other Malaysians involved in the semi-final matches today but none of them managed to follow in Chew Chan's footsteps.

Wong Kai Meng and Rozy Khamis lost in the men's under 84kg and over 84kg respectively and were awarded consolation bronze medals. The bronze is automatically awarded to losing semi-finalists the taekwondo events.

The same happened to Norfaradila Mohammad Zairy and Shu Seo Hie in women's below 67kg and over 72kg categories.

-- BERNAMA

Men Shoot Down Recurve Gold But Women Miss Target

2007-12-13T10:34:00.000+08:00

KORAT, Dec 12 (Bernama) -- Cheng Chu Sian, Mohd Khalmizan Wan Abdul Malik and Muhammad Marbawi Sulaiman lived up to their top billing by shooting down the Recurve Team gold but the women's team had to be contented with a silver in the same event at the Suranaree University of Technology here Wednesday.

The Malaysian trio beat Indonesia's Mohamed Ali Sofian, Rahmat Sulistyawan, Hendro Suprianto 213-211 in the final after having beaten Myanmar 218-208 in the semi-finals held in the morning.

However, the women's cast, headed by Anbarasi Subramaniam, Irza Hanie Abdul Samah and Nor Aziera Taip lost 198-204 to concede the gold to a superior Indonesian trio headed by Recurve Individual gold medallist Ika Yuliana, silver medal winner Puspitasari Rina Dewi and Gina Rahayu Sugiharti.

With the team gold and the men's Individual Recurve gold won by Chu Sian earlier, the archery team wrapped up their competitions which ended here today with 2 gold, 2 silver and a bronze.

"We were quite sure of winning the men's gold but knew that beating Indonesia would be a difficult task, especially after their top two archers had shown superb form by winning the gold and silver in the Individual event.

"We targetted two gold and I'm happy to have achieved that target. Though we won three gold medals at the 2005 SEA Games in Manila through the Compound events, this time around the Compound team members are new," said team manager Mohammad Yazid Ahmad.

In the men's event, the Philippines beat Myanmar 208-205 to win the bronze while Thailand edged Vietnam 198-197 for the bronze.

Archery was the first team to have achieved their projected target for the Korat SEA Games.

Meanwhile, the men's Compound team comprising Lau Siew Hong, Soo Teck Kim and Ting Leong Fong beat Singapore 217-212 to take the bronze behind Vietnam and Indonesia who won the gold and silver respectively.

--BERNAMA

Qabil Rewrites SEA Games Equestrian History

2007-12-13T10:33:00.002+08:00

PATTAYA, Dec 12 (Bernama) -- National ace Qabil Ambak Mahamad Fathil rewrote SEA Games equestrian history by becoming its first two times quadruple gold medallist.

Today he repeated the feat he achieved in the 2005 Manila SEA Games by winning his fourth equestrian gold in the 24th Korat SEA Games,

The 27-year-old Qabil accomplished the amazing feat when he won the men's individual Show Jumping gold at the Horseshoe Point course here.

Astride "Parvina", his performance was almost flawless, with only a single penalty.

But Malaysia's quest for a one-two finish were dashed after Syed Omar Almohdzar came in fourth.

Filipino rider Diego Lorenzo, with 17 penalties, won the silver while Thailand's Pongsiree Bunluewong overtook Syed Omar to win the bronze medal.

"What can I say...I am truly delighted. I came here expecting to win some medals but thought four will be difficult as the Thais are strong and have the home ground advantage," said Qabil, who also won a silver and bronze in the Doha Asian Games.

According to him, the victory did not come easy as he had to make a lot of sacrifices with constant travelling to train in Holland and compete in various countries prior to the SEA Games, including in Hong Kong and Malaysia.

"For the past few months, I was hardly at home. I had to put extra work to be a class above the rest," said Qabil, who had earlier won gold in the individual and team Dressage, and team Show Jumping.

He at first wanted to opt out from the Korat Games to enable younger riders to get exposure and experience but made the trip here because the national team needed a seasoned campaigner as a leader.

Asked if the Korat SEA Games would be his swansong, Qabil said it was too early to decide although he would prefer to let the youngsters compete in the biennial games.

With four gold medals in the bag, Qabil said he would now focus on qualifying for the World Championships in the United States in 2010 and the 2012 Olympics, as well as winning gold at the 2010 Asian Games.

After a short break, Qabil said he would be on the move again, with immediate attention on the World Cup in Sweden in April.

With 17 years dedicated to the sport, Qabil said he was also thinking of settling down.

"But the timing is not right yet. With horses, lot of time is spent in training and competition," he said.

Qabil made his debut in the 1995 SEA Games in Chiang Mai and had been on the ascent since. He recorded the first quadruple in the 2001 Kuala Lumpur Games.

Team manager Dr S. Selvarajah said the team are now looking forward to make a clean sweep in equestrian by winning the two gold medals at stake in eventing which starts tomorrow.

"We have achieved our target and we are in good position to win two more gold," he said.

Malaysians will also be proud to know that only the national anthem has been played in all the equestrian events so far.

-- BERNAMA

Josiah, Men's Team Gold In Cycling Cap A Fruitful Day

2007-12-13T10:33:00.001+08:00

KORAT, Dec 12 (Bernama) -- Keirin specialist Josiah Ng won his first SEA Games gold medal after leading a Malaysian 1-2 finish in the men's Individual Sprint while the men's team captured the Team Pursuit gold at the King's Anniversary Sports Complex Velodrome here Wednesday.

Only the women's Sprint gold eluded the Malaysian contingent on day where cycling offered three gold medals, after Fateha Mustapa finished with a bronze.

Josiah who finished fifth in the Keirin event at the Athens Olympics in 2004, beat Mohd Azizulhasni Awang over the two laps to clock times of 11.492s and 11.335s for the gold.

In the men's Team Pursuit, the Malaysian quartet of Mohd Jasmin Ruslan, Amir Mustafa Rusli, Mohammad Akmal Amrun and Mohd Hanif Saleh clocked four minutes 27.919 seconds for the gold, beating Thailand who set 4:35.299s.

"This was our fourth gold and Josiah's first in the SEA Games as he did not compete in the 2005 Manila SEA Games," said cycling team manager Yunus Ibrahim today.

Mohd Rizal Tisin gave cycling's first gold from the men's 1km Time Trial while the second came from the men's Team Sprint.

As the track events came to a close at the Velodrome today, cycling events will continue outdoors when the road race events for the men and women's Mass start begin.

The men's Road race will comprise of 160.30km while the women's distance for the same race will be 116.10km.

Malaysia won the men's Road race in Manila through Suhardi Hassan and will be hoping for a similar feat.

--BERNAMA

Big Payday From Lawn Bowlers

2007-12-13T10:30:00.000+08:00

BANGKOK, Dec 12 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's lawn bowlers won four gold, a silver and a bronze when the Korat SEA Games lawn bowls event wrapped up at the Queen Sirikit Sports Centre here Wednesday.

The gold were won by Azim Azami Mohd Ariffin and Mohd Amir Mohd Yusof in the men's doubles; Khairul Anuar Abdul Kadir, Mohd Azwan Shuhaimi and Fairul Izwan Abdul Muin (men's triples); Emma Firyana Saroji and Azlina Arshad (women's pairs) and Maisarah Aminludin, Nor Fidrah Noh, and Nor Hashimah Ismail (women's triples).

However, Melbourne Commonwealth Games and Asian Games gold medallist Siti Zalina Ahmad could only manage a silver in the women's singles while Safuan Said, the world Number One, had to be contented with the bronze in the men's.

Malaysian Lawl Bowls Federation president Tan Sri Ahmad Sarji Abdul Hamid said he was satisfied with the overall performance of the national lawn bowlers.

"However, luck was not on the side of Siti Zalina and Safuan today," he said.

Thailand's Songsin Tsao was Siti Zalina's nemesis winning by a mere point (20-21). Rosita Bradborn of the Philippines took the bronze.

In the men's singles, Hj Naim Brahim of Brunei won the gold while Singapore's Chia Tee Chiak took the bronze.

-- BERNAMA

SEA games results - Wednesday December 12, 2007

2007-12-13T10:29:00.000+08:00

n ARCHERY

Men

Recurve team: 1. Malaysia; 2. Indonesia; 3. Philippines.

Compound team: 1. Vietnam; 2. Indonesia; 3. Malaysia.

Women

Recurve team: 1. Indonesia; 2. Malaysia; 3. Thailand.

BADMINTON

(All quarter-finals)

Men

Singles: Yeoh Kay Bin lost to Taufik Hidayat (Ina) 21-13, 3-21, 21-23; Kuan Beng Hong lost to Kendrick Lee (Sin) 22-24, 13-21.

Doubles: Gan Teik Chai-Lin Woon Fui bt Tran Thanh Hai-Nguyen Quang Minh (Vie) 21-19, 21-9; Mohd Rasif Abd Latif-Khoo Chung Chiat lost to Hendra Wijaya-Hendri Kurniawan Saputra (Ina) 14-21, 21-17, 16-21.

Women

Singles: Lydia Cheah lost to Soratja Chansrisukot (Tha) 23-21, 24-26, 18-21; Julia Wong bt Salakjit Ponsana (Tha) 21-16, 21-12.

Doubles: Goh Liu Ying-Ng Hui Lin lost to Jiang Yanmei-Li Yujia (Sin) 12-21, 14-12; Woon Khe Wei-Wong Pei Tty lost to Novita Jo-Polii Greysia (Ina) 21-16, 21-10.

Mixed doubles quarter-finals: Mohd Rasif Abd Latif-Ng Hui Lin lost to Sudket Prapakamol-Saralee Thoungthongkam 11-21, 18-21; Tan Wee Kiong-Woon Khe Wei lost to Hendri Kurniawan Saputra-Li Yujia (Sin) 8-21, 12-21.

n BASEBALL

Round robin: Malaysia 0 Thailand 34.

n BEACH VOLLEYBALL

Men's preliminary: Khoo Chong Long-Mohd Fitri Salim bt Edward Balbuena-Mimi Dacurong (Phi) 16-21, 21-15, 15-12.

Women's preliminary: Luk Teck Hua-Beh Shun Ting bt Michelle Laborte-Michella Carolino (Phi) 19-21, 21-13, 15-12.

n BILLIARDS AND SNOOKER

English billiards doubles: 1. Kyaw Oo-Aung San Oo (Mya); 2. Roslan Yurnalis-Moh Loon Hong; 3. Praput Chaithanasakun-Thawat Sujaritthurakarn (Tha).

n CANOEING

Men

Kayak single: 1. Tayzar Phonemying (Mya) 3:49.400; 2. Sayadin (Ina) 3:50.290; 3. Wichan Jaitieng (Tha) 3:50.720.s

Selected: 6. Julianda Amin 4:33.810.

Kayak double: 1. Natthaphon Yatra-Piyaphan Phaophat (Tha) 3:26.380; 2. Nguyen Thanh Quang-Nguyen Van Chi (Vie) 3:29.420; 3. Diono-Kuat (Ina) 3:29.490.

Selected: 5. Rizuan Ismail-Mohd Faizal Mohamed Kamil 3:53.850.

K4: 1. Myanmar 3:08.180; 2. Thailand 3:10.040; 3. Indonesia 3:12.080.

Selected: 5. Malaysia 3:31.080.

n CYCLING

Men

Individual sprint: 1. Josiah Ng; 2. Mohd Azizulhasni Awang; 3. Asep Suryaman (Ina).

Team pursuit: 1. Malaysia; 2. Thailand; 3. Philippines.

Women

Individual sprint: 1. Uyun Muzizah (Ina); 2. Jutatip Maneephan (Tha); 3. Fatehah Mustapa.

n DIVING

Women's 3m springboard: 1. Sheila Perez (Phi) 316.60; 2. Leong Mun Yee 306.90; 3. Hoang Thanh Tra (Vie) 300.80.

n EQUESTRIAN

Jumping individual: 1. Qabil Ambak Mahamad Fathil; 2. Diego Lorenzo (Phi); 3. Pongsiree Bunluewong (Tha).

n HANDBALL

Men's preliminary round: Malaysia 32 Laos 16.

n JUDO

Men

Below 66kg:1. Paradon Saibua (Tha); 2. Palitha Phrommala (Lao); 3. Peter Taslim (Ina) and Mohd Fakhrul Afandi.

n KARATE-DO

Men

Below 55kg: 1. R. Puvaneswaran; 2. Pham Hoai Iong (Vie); 3. Bambang Mauldin (Ina) and Ramon Hector Franco (Phi).

Under 65kg: 1. Lim Yoke Wai; 2. Donny Dharmawan (Ina); 3. Rolando Lagman (Phi) and Vo Manh Tuan (Vie).

Individual men's kata: 1. Ku Jin Keat; 2. Noel Espinosa (Phi); 3. Denies Ibrahim Sani (Ina) and Sanphasit Chonlaphan (Tha).

Individual women's kata: 1. Lim Lee Lee; 2. Nguyen Hoang Ngan (Vie); 3. I In Hasanah (Ina) and Ng Pei Yi (Sin).

n LAWN BOWLS

Men

Singles bronze medal match: Safuan Said bt Surasaek Phonghanyudh (Tha) 21-11.

Pairs: 1. Azim Azami Mohd Ariffin-Mohd Amir Mohd Yusof; 2. Chaithai Kanchanakaphan-Tanakrit Thamasam (Tha); 3. Md Salleh Awang Hitam-Mohd Israt (Bru).

Triples: 1. Fairul Izwan Abdul Muin-Mohd Azwan Shuhaimi-Zulhilmie Redzuan; 2. Sakprasert Mitsaha-Tanongsak Klinsom-Winai Niklum (Tha); 3. Angelo Morales-Emmanuel Portacio-Hommer Mercado (Phi).

Women

Singles: 1. Songsin Tsao (Tha); 2. Siti Zalina Ahmad; 3. Rosita Bradborn (Phi).

Pairs: 1. Azlina Arshad-Emma Firyana Saroji; 2. Nancy Bercasio-Sonia Bruce (Phi); 3. Arpa Phonghanyudh-Thonguaan Buranwut (Tha).

Triples: 1. Maisarah Aminludin-Nor Fidrah Noh-Nor Hashimah Ismail; 2. Orawan Sodok- Saegjan Wareeram-Thong Oomen (Tha); 3. Aine Knight-Maila Witheridge-Ronalyn Greenlees (Phi).

n PENCAK SILAT

Women's below 50kg: 1. Pengky Simbar (Ina); 2. Rina Jordana Adnan; 3. Ngoc Anh (Vie) and Nur As'ashikeen Amran (Sin).

n TAEKWONDO

Men

Under 84kg: 1. Nguyen Trong Cuong (Vie); 2. Alexander Briones (Phi); 3. Wong Kai Meng and Maung Maung Oo (Mya)

Women

Under 67kg: 1. Cassandra Haller (Tha); 2. Mary Antionette Rivero (Phi); 3. Norfaradila Mohammad Zairy and Tran Ngoc Tram (Vie).

Under 72kg: 1. Che Chew Chan; 2. Bui Thu Hien (Vie); 3. Ma Crisdela Roxas (Phi).

Above 72kg: 1. Amalia Kurniasih Palupi (Ina); 2. Rapatkorn Prasopsuk (Tha); 3. Shu Seo Hie and Vu Au Thuy Kim Linh (Vie).

n TENNIS

Men's doubles quarter-finals: Adam Jaya-Si Yew Ming lost to Sanchai Ratiwatana-Sonchat Ratiwatana (Tha) 2-6, 4-6.

n WEIGHTLIFTING

Men's above 105kg: 1. Niti Kam-Eiam (Tha) 355kg (on countback); 2. Che Mohd Azrol Che Mat 355kg; 3. Dedi Aprianto (Ina) 306kg.

Women's below 75kg: 1. Darmariani Sinta (Ina) 234kg; 2. Watcharawadee Rattanachuang (Tha) 226kg; 3. Nguyen Thi Phoung Loan (Vie) 217kg.

Selected: 4. Siti Amida Aris 149kg.

Worst ever showing in silat

2007-12-12T16:50:00.001+08:00

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia's campaign in silat ended without a gold after world champion Rina Jordana Adnan was beaten in the Under-50kg final at the Sungnoen Municipality Hall in Korat on Wednesday.

The sole Malaysian in the fight for a gold medal in 12 silat olahraga finals contested on the final day of competition, was beaten 1-4 by Indonesian Pengky Simbar.

Malaysia, who brought 14 exponents to Korat targeting four gold medals, finished with a haul of one silver and six bronzes, their worst ever result in the biennial Games since the sport was introduced in 1987.

The only other time when they failed to win a gold medal was in the 1997 Jakarta Games, hauling back only five silver and seven bronze medals.

The bronze medallists in Korat were Faizal Abdullah, Ahmad Shahril Zailuddin, Wan Nurul Hidayu, Malini Mohd, Emy Lajip and Mastura Sapuan.

At the last Games in Manila, Malaysia took back three gold medals in silat.

Star

SEA Games: Little glitter in karate

2007-12-12T16:47:00.000+08:00

PETALING JAYA: Lim Lee Lee won the women's kata individual gold medal at the Kebkanjana Hall in Korat on Wednesday, see off a challenge from archrival Nguyen Hoang Ngan to win 3-2 in the final.

It was the third SEA Games final meeting between the two. Lee Lee lost to Hoang Ngan in Hanoi in 2003 but turned the tables on the Vietnamese to win in Manila 2005.

It was a silver lining -- her team-up with Thoe Ai Poh and Chin Fang Yang saw them being beaten 0-5 by two-time defending champions Vietnam in the team final.

Ku Jin Keat made it a memorable start for the national karate squad when he defended his men's individual kata title as well.

The 32-year-old, who bagged the silver medal at the Doha Asiad last year, did not face much difficulty in defeating Noel Espinola 5-0 of the Philippines in the final.

But Jin Keat failed to make it a double celebration after the men's team could only settle for the bronze.

The Star

Medal Trail Trickles Towards Half-way Mark

2007-12-12T11:34:00.001+08:00

KORAT, Dec 11 (Bernama) -- Seven gold medals won, numerous others missed and misfortunes summed up the performances of the Malaysian contingent as the medal trail trickled towards the half-way mark after today's competitions.

With seven won today from athletics (2), swimming (2), cycling (1), bowling (1), archery (1), Malaysia's overall medal tally stood at 31 gold, 29 silver and 57 bronze, one short of the half-way mark of the 64-gold target.

In athletics, three gold medals slipped from their grasp as Ngew Sin Mei saw the women's triple jump gold snatched from right under her nose by Thailand's Thitima Muangjan on her very last jump.

Sin Mei who leapt 13.75m was almost sure of the gold as the Thai jumper had faltered all her five previous jumps, but in her very last attempt, cleared 13.85m to win the gold.

M. Vadivellan who was leading the pack in the men's 1,500m lost out in the last 20m to Vietnam's Nguyen Dinh Cuong and settled for the silver while Muhamad Zaiful Zainal Abidin also had a shot at gold in the men's 400m up to the 350m stage but ended in third place behind Julius Felicisimo of the Philippines and Jukkatip Pojaroen of Thailand.

In swimming, Siow Yi Ting who was tipped to win the 400m individual medley, slipped to silver medal position while Daniel Bego finished with a bronze in the men's 200m Butterfly.

In Bangkok, the men's team, expected to sweep the gold in the Team of Fives event, finished with a silver and continued their drought for a gold medal while the women have so far come good with a three-gold feat.

There were also missed gold stories in cycling as Uracca Leow failed to win the women's Individual Pursuit while Amir Mustafa Rusli suffered a similar fortune in the men's Individual Pursuit.

The men's rugby team, unbeaten after two matches and touted as a gold medal prospect blew their chances after losing to lowly-ranked Philippines in the semi-finals.

Tomorrow, 68 gold medals are at stake, the single most highest number of gold medals offered for the Games, which offers a total of 475 gold medals.

With swimming and athletics closing their doors, all attention will now be on combat sports like karate-do and taekwondo, which offer eight and six gold respectively, while prospects for medals remain intact in archery, cycling, diving, equestrian, bowling and pencak silat.

-- BERNAMA

Men's Cycling Team Race Away With Sprint Gold

2007-12-12T11:33:00.003+08:00

KORAT, Dec 11 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian men's cycling team raced away with the Sprint event gold but missed another two in the men's and women's Individual Pursuit on a blistering day at the King's Anniversary Sports Complex Velodrome here today.

Junaidi Mohamad Nasir, Mohd Azizulhasni, Muhamad Edrus Md Yunos clocked 1:03.033 in the three-lap race to beat Thailand's Sitichai Rittisil, Pongthep Tapimai, Wiwatchai Chuaikhun who finished with a time of 1:05.068.

The Malaysian cycling camp's joy was however short-lived when Uracca Leow lost the gold to Thailand's Chanpeng Nontasin while Amir Mustafa Rusli saw Alfie Catalan sneak ahead to win the gold in the men's event.

There was also heart-break for Uracca Leow in the women's Point Race when she could only manage a bronze while the women's team also finished with a bronze in the Women's Team Sprint.

Today's gold was the second from cycling after Mohd Rizal Tisin had won the men's 1km Time Trial.

Tomorrow, cycling offers another three gold medals through the individual sprint events.

-- BERNAMA

Spot On Chu Sian Captures Recurve Gold In All-Malaysian Final

2007-12-12T11:33:00.001+08:00

KORAT, Dec 11 (Bernama) -- Cheng Chu Sian shot a perfect 10 in an exciting one-arrow play-off to beat team-mate Mohd Khalmizan Wan Abdul Malik for the gold in the men's Recurve final at the Suranaree University of Technology here today.

Chu Sian and Khalmizan who marched into the final after beating their respective opponents from the Philippines and Indonesia respectively, were tied on 110 points after regular play, forcing a one-arrow play-off.

In the play-off, Chu Sian hit the bulls eye for a 10 while Khalmizan managed only eight points to concede the gold.

In the semi-finals held in the morning, Chu Sian beat Mark Javier 108-103 while Khalmizan triumphed over Hendro Suprianto 108-101.

According to archery team manager Mohammad Yazid Ahmad, both players were in superb form today and that the final was a very exciting and close affair.

"Tomorrow we will be involved in the men's and women's Recurve team events and the men's Compound. Based on current form, we have a very good chance of winning the gold medal, especially in the men's Recurve team.

"We have targetted two gold medals from archery and that target is on track," he told Bernama after today's events.

In the men's Recurve team event, Malaysia who beat Laos 217-168 in the quarter-finals earlier face Myanmar while the women's team who had also beaten Laos 191-167, face Vietnam.

Malaysia will face either Indonesia or the Philippines in the men's while the women will be up against the winner of the tie between Indonesia and Thailand.

The Compound men's event will see Malaysia take on Vietnam after beating their quarter-finals opponent, Thailand in a three-arrow play-off (28-27) after both teams were tied on 213 points.

The other semi-final pitches Indonesia against Singapore.

-- BERNAMA

Malaysian Women Bowlers Continue Winning Ways

2007-12-12T11:32:00.001+08:00

BANGKOK, Dec 11 (Bernama) -- Malaysian women keglers won the gold while the men only managed the silver in the fives (five bowlers in a team) events held at the SF Strike Bowl in Ramkhamhaeng here today.

Esther Cheah, Zatil Iman Abd Ghani, Siti Safiyyah Amirah Abdul Rahman, Sharon Koh Suet Len and Shalin Zulkifli downed 5723 pinfalls to clinch the gold medal while the Indonesian team with 5612 pinfalls took the silver and Thailand the bronze (5604 pinfalls).

"It was really a tense six-game competition. Despite the pressure and taunts from the home supporters, the girls performed beyond expectations to win," Malaysia's national coach Holloway Cheah told reporters.

However, the men - Daniel Lim Tow Chuang, Zul Mazran Zulkifli, Alex Liew Kien Liang, Adrian Ang Hsien Loong and Aaron Kong Eng Chuan - missed the gold by 20 pinfalls. They downed a total of 5812 pins while Thailand, who won the gold, hit 5832.

The bronze was won by Indonesia (5690 pins).

"They did well in the early games. However, they lost focus in the later games and gave Thailand the advantage," said Holloway.

With the latest result, the Malaysian bowling squad have won 3 gold, 2 silver and 5 bronze. The other two gold were also contributed by the women bowlers - in the doubles and trios events.

Tomorrow, the men's and women's masters events will start with the 1st block while the final will be held on Thursday.

-- BERNAMA

Two Gold, Games Record For Malaysia On Final Day Of Swimming

2007-12-12T11:28:00.002+08:00

KORAT, Dec 11 (Bernama) -- Self-trained Chui Lai Kwan splashed her way to the gold medal in the women's 50m freestyle while Daniel Bego bagged his second gold in record time in the men's 200m freestyle on the final day of the swimming events at the Aquatics Centre in the Anniversary sports complex here today.

The 17-year old Lai Kwan, whose swimming prowess is due to her mother's constant encouragement, swam her heart out to finish in 26.63 seconds while compatriot Leung Chii Lin took the silver in 26.79s to make it a one-two for Malaysia in the event. Bronze went to Thailand's Muenwai Natnapa who did 26.80s.

"I just finished my SPM exam (1st week of December) and flew straight to Thailand for the Games," said Sandakan-born Lai Kwan, who was the silver medallist in the women's 100m backstroke in the 2005 Manila Games.

Lai Kwan and Chii Lin received their medals from Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said who was present to watch their event.

Daniel, who bagged the men's 100m butterfly gold in record time on Sunday, also set a new Games record in the 200m freestyle when he returned 1:52.32s to beat the old mark of 1:52.47s set by Thailand's Dulyarit Phuangthong in Kuala Lumpur in 2001. Singapore's Bryan Tay Zhirong was second in 1:52.98s while the Philippines' Miguel Molina took the bronze in 1:53.59s.

But in the men's 200m butterfly, Daniel could only finish in third place. The gold was won by Filipino James Walsh, who also set a new Games record of 2:00.45s to erase the previous mark of 2:01.84s held by Allen Ong of Malaysia. Indonesia's Utomo Donny took the silver in 2:00.81s.

Meanwhile, birthday girl Siow Yi Ting (she turned 22 today) failed in her bid to win the gold in her pet event, the women's 400m individual medley losing to Quah Ting Wen of Singapore.

Yi Ting, who came back from the United States in August just to train for the Games, timed 4:54.11s against 4:53.90s clocked by the Singaporean. Another Malaysian, Lew Yih Wey, took the bronze with 4:55.86s.

However, to Yi Ting's consolation, the time was good enough for her to beat the Olympic qualifying mark of 4:55.06s.

In the women's 200m butterfly, 13-year-old Hii Siew Siew sprang a surprise by winning the bronze in 2:20.71s. China-born Singaporean Tao Li clocked 2:15.63 for the gold while the Philippines' Totten Erica took the silver in 2:16.63s.

The swimming events of the Korat SEA Games ended today with the Malaysians capturing 7 gold, 8 silver and 8 bronze in all.

-- BERNAMA

Exposing Young Athletes Should Take Precedence Over Medals - Azalina

2007-12-12T11:28:00.001+08:00

KORAT, Dec 11 (Bernama) -- Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said believes exposing young athletes should take precedence instead of just focusing on winning medals.

"Sometimes we have to be bold and take a gamble by sending young athletes, as a means of exposing them to high level competition. Though winning medals is important, it is not everything.

"Take for example our decision to send the back up squad for badminton although we have world class players. But if we continue to depend on the elite players, we will be left high and dry when they retire," she told Bernama after awarding the winner's medal to Roslinda Samsu at the King's Anniversary Stadium here today.

Roslinda won the women's pole vault gold in athletics together with Lee Hup Wei, when athletics competitions drew down the curtains with Malaysia winning seven gold medal, one short of the Manila SEA Games haul and three short of the Malaysian Amateur Athletics Union's target of 10.

Azalina who flew in today to check on the progress of the Malaysian contingent here in the Korat SEA Games, said many people had questioned the decision but to us (Government), we see the Games from the development perspective and as a platform to expose athletes.

"Even in athletics, there are a number of athletes who are first timers and won medals, though not the gold, I feel this is a very good beginning. Maybe we should seek for additional allocation from the government to focus on development," said Azalina who believes the Malaysian contingent can achieve the desired 64-gold target.

She added that the initiative of Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim, who is the president of the MAAU, Amateur Swimming Union of Malaysia (ASUM) and petanque, to hand out cash incentives for gold medals winners can boost the morale of athletes.

"I have seen the athletes in action and they are all in high spirits. We missed some sure gold medal prospects but there have been some that we did not expect. So, I'm quite happy with the progress here," she said.

-- BERNAMA

A Disappointing Outing For Malaysia In Track And Field

2007-12-12T11:22:00.001+08:00

KORAT, Dec 11 (Bernama) -- Lee Hup Wei won the men's high jump gold and Malaysia's reputation was restored on a day when the overall ten-gold medal target was never within reach.

Seven was all the Malaysian contingent could win after five days of competition at the 22,000-seater Main Stadium here, three short of the target the Malaysian Amateur Athletics Union (MAAU) had set out to achieve before coming here.

Only Hup Wei's win in the high jump with a clearance of 2.19m, way below his personal best of 2.24m, which he did at the Asian Championship in Jordan two months ago, brought the smiles back to the Malaysian camp. Especially after having lost the gold in Manila two years ago for the first time in the history of the SEA Games.

Roslinda Samsu's victory in the women's Pole vault with a height of 4.00m, successfully defending her title she won in the 2005 Manila Games, brought a semblance of respectability even though her winning height was lower than the 4.10m she did in Manila.

Hup Wei's gold and Roslinda's winning effort made it seven but it was still one less than the eight gold medals won at the 2005 SEA Games and when the counting is done, MAAU must now do some serious soul searching as they look towards the 2009 Games in Laos.

The defeat of Ngew Sin Mei in the women's triple jump today when so much hope was placed on her slender shoulders to retain her title, was a sign that things were not going Malaysia's way on the final day of competition.

The Kelantan-born jumper had cleared a wind assisted 13.75m on her fourth attempt to take the lead but only to see Thailand's Thitima Maunjan, bronze medallist at the previous SEA Games produced a giant effort in her final jump to clear 13.85m for the gold and a new SEA Games record bettering Sin Mei's attempt of 13.61m done in Manila.

"I am so devastated but I promise I will be back and train even harder. I want to qualify for the Beijing Olympics which means I need to clear 14.05m. It's within my reach," said Sin Mei.

M.Vadivellan, who was fancied for the gold in the men's 1,500m, found the Vietnamese Nguyen Dinh Cuong, the 800m gold medallist, just too strong for him and had to settle for the silver in 3:45.70secs for a new National record, bettering the old mark of 3:45.87secs held by A.Munusamy since 1997.

But it was the Thais who continued with their dominance in track and field with a 15-gold medal haul all in all.

-- BERNAMA

Renang raih dua emas

2007-12-12T11:20:00.002+08:00

KORAT – Hanya dengan berlatih di bawah bimbingan ibu, Chui Lai Kwan sudah mampu ditabalkan selaku ratu kolam renang Sukan SEA apabila memenangi acara 50 meter gaya bebas renang wanita di Pusat Akuatik Ulang Tahun Raja Thailand, semalam.

Hasil bimbingan Tang Hui Hong sejak 2003 lagi, gadis Sandakan ini akhirnya menjuarai acara kemuncak renang temasya dwi tahunan Asia Tenggara ini dengan catatan 26.53 saat.

Kejayaan ini merupakan satu kejutan dan peningkatan besar baginya selepas sekadar meraih perak Sukan SEA Filipina, dua tahun lalu malah disokong dengan sebutir perak rakan senegara, Leung Chii Lin dengan catatan 26.79s.

Gangsa kepunyaan perenang Thailand, Natnapa P. Muenwai yang merakamkan 26.80s.

Lai Kwan bagaimanapun masih jauh untuk melepasi had kelayakan ke Sukan Olimpik Beijing kategori B, 26.32s selain rekod Sukan SEA, 26.13s milik Joceline Yeo dari Singapura, dua tahun lalu.

Kata Lai Kwan: “Emas ini ditujukan untuk ibu saya yang melatih saya sejak berusia 13 tahun di Sandakan. Sudah tentu saya terkejut dan tidak menyangka mampu memenangi acara utama dalam Sukan SEA.”

Sementara itu, Daniel Bego pula terus menceriakan Malaysia dengan sebutir lagi emas menerusi acara 200m gaya bebas dengan mencatatkan 1 minit 52.32s sekali gus menyamai rekod Sukan SEA milik Bryan Tay dari Singapura.

Malangnya, cuma sebutir gangsa menjadi milik perenang dari Miri, Sarawak ini dalam acara 200m kuak kupu-kupu dengan catatan 2:03.97s selepas kalah kepada perenang Filipina, James Walsh (2:00.45s) dan Nigel Lim dari Singapura (2:00.81s).

Daniel berkata: “Saya tidak memikirkan berapa banyak emas atau sebarang pingat yang diraih di sini tetapi yang penting saya dapat mempertahankan dua emas yang dimenangi di Filipina 2005. Itu pun sudah memadai.

“Saya perlukan rehat panjang selepas Sukan SEA. Selepas itu barulah kembali berlatih dan memikirkan persediaan ke Sukan Olimpik,” katanya.

Siow Yi Ting yang memburu hadiah hari jadinya ke-22, semalam dengan sebutir lagi emas, turut kecundang dalam persaingan 400m rampaian perseorangan kepada perenang Singapura, Quah Ting Wen.

Sebutir perak menjadi galang ganti buatnya dengan catatan 4:54.11s berbanding Ting Wen, 4:53.90s manakala seorang lagi perenang negara, Lew Yih Wey yang meraih gangsa, merakamkan 4:55.86s.

Seorang lagi perenang wanita, Hii Siew Siew turut menyumbangkan sebutir gangsa 200m kuak kupu-kupu sambil mencatatkan 2:20.71s dalam acara yang dimenangi perenang Singapura, Tao Li.

– Utusan

Hoki hampiri dua emas

2007-12-12T11:20:00.001+08:00

BANGKOK – Malaysia berada pada kedudukan selesa untuk memenangi dua pingat emas hoki Sukan SEA ke-24 apabila pasukan wanita dan lelaki layak ke akhir seperti yang dijangka.

Pasukan lelaki Malaysia akan bertemu Singapura pada perlawanan akhir esok manakala pasukan wanita bertemu Thailand.

Pasukan lelaki melengkapkan aksi pusingan awal dengan membelasah Thailand 8-1 manakala Singapura, yang seri 1-1 dengan Thailand, menewaskan Myanmar 6-0.

Sebelum itu, Malaysia yang menurunkan pasukan kedua menundukkan Myanmar 8-0 dan Singapura 7-1.

Gol Malaysia dijaringkan G. Sasitheran (minit pertama dan 10), Muhammad Abdul Aziz (28, 54), Muhammad Razie Rahim (34, 49), S. Kuhan (57) dan K. Keevan Raj (65) manakala gol tuan rumah dijaringkan Thammuangkun Surasak pada minit ke-64.

Malaysia hanya gagal memenangi pingat emas pada 1973 di Singapura.

Pengurus pasukan Shurizan Mansor berkata, Malaysia sepatutnya tiada masalah untuk menang emas dan pasukan kini mendapatkan khidmat Baljit Singh Sarjab, Nabil Fiqri Mohd. Noor dan Khairul Nizam Ibrahim yang menyertai pasukan selepas beraksi pada Trofi Juara-juara di Kuala Lumpur.

Pasukan wanita pula yang menumpaskan Singapura 5-0 pada perlawanan pembukaan, menamatkan pusingan awal melibatkan tiga pasukan dengan kemenangan 1-0 ke atas Thailand.

Thailand layak ke perlawanan akhir dengan kelebihan perbezaan gol. Kedua-dua pasukan sebelum ini seri 1-1.

– Bernama

Hup Wei, Roslinda sumbang emas

2007-12-12T11:19:00.002+08:00

KORAT – Sukan olahraga menutup tirai saingannya semalam dengan Malaysia menambah dua lagi pingat emas menerusi atlet lompat tinggi tinggi, Lee Hup Wei dan atlet lompat bergalah wanita, Roslinda Samsu.

Namun kejayaan itu tidak cukup untuk menepati sasaran Kesatuan Olahraga Amatur Malaysia (KOAM) iaitu 10 emas.

Selepas berakhir cabaran di Sukan SEA kali ini, skuad olahraga negara hanya berjaya mengumpul tujuh emas keseluruhan daripada lima hari pertandingan.

Namun jika diambil kira sasaran Majlis Sukan Negara (MSN), jumlah itu memenuhi ramalan yang dibuat sebelum ini.

Apa pun kejayaan Hup Wei dan Roslinda semalam sedikit sebanyak menyelamatkan maruah skuad olahraga yang terus menjadi penyumbang utama pingat emas pada setiap temasya Sukan SEA.

Hup Wei melakukan lompatan 2.19 meter walau pun diberi tentangan sengit atlet Vietnam, Nguyen Dung Bang sehingga lompatan terakhirnya untuk terpaksa berpuas hati dengan pingat perak. Gangsa menjadi milik atlet negara, Ahmad Najwan Aqra Hassaim.

“Saya boleh lompat lebih tinggi sebenarnya tetapi matlamat saya adalah emas bukan ketinggian. Saya benar-benar puas hati kerana membalas dendam ke atas Dung Bang, juara bertahan acara ini,” katanya.

Bagi Roslinda pula, dia jelas bukan tandingan di Asia Tenggara kerana mudah memenangi emas dengan sekali lompatan pada ketinggian empat meter.

Walaupun mengalami kekejangan otot, Roslinda masih mampu melakukan lompatan yang bertenaga untuk menghadiahkan pingat emas yang disasarkan ke atasnya.

“Cabaran memang tidak begitu sengit tetapi saya tetap bimbang kerana kejang otot sebelum lompatan pertama. Mujur saya mampu melepasi ketinggian empat meter,” katanya yang merupakan juara bertahan dan pemegang rekod Sukan SEA iaitu 4.10 meter.

Skuad olahraga turut meraih dua perak semalam menerusi M. Vadivellan dalam acara 1,500 meter lelaki dan Ngew Sin Mei bagi acara lompat kijang wanita.

Kekalahan mengejut Sin Mei yang merupakan prospek emas dan juara bertahan acara itu meranapkan lagi usaha skuad olahraga mencapai sasaran yang ditetapkan KOAM.

Sementara itu, dua gangsa turut diraih menerusi Ahmad Najwan (lompat tinggi) dan Mohd. Zaiful Zainal Abidin acara 400m lelaki.

– Utusan

Hanya satu kayuhan emas

2007-12-12T11:19:00.001+08:00

KORAT – Malaysia meraih satu lagi pingat emas menerusi acara basikal trek semalam tetapi kegagalan demi kegagalan serta demam yang menimpa pelumba prospek, awal-awal lagi sudah melenyapkan harapan negara untuk mencapai sasaran enam emas pada Sukan SEA di sini.

Walaupun pasukan pecut berpasukan meraih emas kedua semalam namun kegagalan Uracca Leow menjuarai acara 3km kejar-mengejar individu meletakkan skuad basikal trek menyimpang jauh daripada matlamat awal mereka.

Ini ditambah ketiadaan juara bertahan Nor Azian Alias yang mengalami demam teruk sejak tiga hari lalu menyebabkan dia terpaksa diketepikan dalam acara 24km perlumbaan mata semalam.

Ini bermakna pada hari kedua pertandingan sahaja, skuad basikal negara sudah kehilangan dua pingat emas yang disasarkan. Satu lagi kelmarin apabila Fatetah Mustapha yang diharap dapat meraih emas acara 500m ujian masa wanita turut gagal apabila hanya mampu meraih gangsa.

Ternyata segalanya serba tidak menjadi buat skuad basikal trek negara pada temasya kali ini kerana sinar baru yang diharapkan tidak menjelma dan mengikut skrip yang ditetapkan.

Mujur pasukan pecut yang dibarisi Junaidi Mohd. Nasir, Azizul Hasni Awang dan Muhammad Edrus Md. Yunos menjadi pengubat duka semalam dengan menewaskan gandingan Thailand di tempat kedua dan Indonesia ketiga.

“Kami memang sudah jangka acara pecut berpasukan menjadi milik kita kerana Malaysia adalah juara bertahan dalam acara ini yang mana kita menangi dua tahun lalu di Filipina.

“Tetapi apa yang mengecewakan ialah kegagalan Uracca Leow dalam acara 3km kejar-mengejar individu. Malah selepas itu apabila ketika mengharapkan acara 4km kejar-mengejar lelaki melakukan kejutan, ia tidak pula kesampaian,” ujar pengurus pasukan, Yunus Ibrahim.

Uracca yang mencatat masa tiga minit, 59.461 saat tewas kepada pelumba Thailand yang lebih pantas satu saat sahaja di depannya pada pertandingan akhir semalam.

“Saya sudah mencuba sedaya-upaya tetapi pelumba Thailand itu semakin laju mengayuh ketika lebih dekat dengan garisan penamat,” kata Uracca.

Selepas itu, Amir Mustafa Rusli yang turun beraksi pada perlumbaan akhir 4km kejar-mengejar individu lelaki turut hampa apabila tumpas kepada pelumba Filipina, Alfie Catalan.

Dengan kegagalan tiga prospek emas setakat ini, skuad basikal trek negara kini mengharapkan kepada Josiah Ng atau Azizul Hasni untuk meraih emas ketiga dalam acara 200m pecut atau gandingan kejar-mengejar berpasukan lelaki pada hari terakhir saingan, hari ini.

– Utusan

Yi Ting penyelamat di kolam renang

2007-12-12T11:00:00.003+08:00

KORAT – Siow Yi Ting menyelamatkan Malaysia daripada kempunan sebarang pingat pada hari keempat renang Sukan SEA Korat dengan menyumbangkan dua perak menerusi 200 meter kuak dada dan 4x100m rampaian wanita di Pusat Akuatik Ulang Tahun Keputeraan Raja Thailand, semalam.

Siswa Universiti Wisconsin, Amerika Syarikat itu tewas kepada perenang Singapura, Nicolette Teo Wei Min dengan catatan 2 minit 32.55s tetapi sudah memadai untuk melepasi had kelayakan B ke Sukan Olimpik Beijing 2008 iaitu 2:33.40s.

Nicolette mencatatkan 2:31.96s untuk menjuarai acara itu manakala gangsa milik Jaclyn Pangilinan dari Filipina yang merakamkan 2:39.16s.

Yi Ting, 21, kemudian bergandingan dengan Chai Sook Fun, Louisa Los Santos dan Leung Chii Lin untuk menduduki tempat kedua dengan catatan 4:19.33s iaitu kekurangan 6.15s dengan rangkaian Singapura - Shana Lim, Nicolett, Tao Li dan Quah Ting Wen yang membaharui rekod Sukan SEA.

Gangsa kepunyaan rangkaian Thailand yang membariskan Wenika K. Chaiwong, Phantira Saraikarn, Natnapa P. Muenwai dan Natthanan J. Krajang yang mencatatkan 4:25.00s.

Perenang lain negara iaitu Clement Leong menduduki tempat tercorot 50m gaya bebas lelaki, begitu juga Yap See Tuan (200m kuak dada lelaki), Heidi Gan dan Ong Ming Xiu (keempat dan keenam 200m gaya bebas wanita) serta Kevin Yeap dan Kevin Lim (kelima dan keenam 1,500m gaya bebas lelaki).

Kata Yi Ting: “Saya terkejut sedikit dengan kekalahan ini walaupun telah bermati-matian untuk menang emas. Saya agak lega mampu layak ke Olimpik bagi acara kedua ini.

“Satu persaingan yang rapat dengan Nicolette tetapi saya kurang berpuas hati dengan masanya yang tidak menghampiri catatan ketika Sukan Asia Doha tahun lalu,” katanya yang memburu satu lagi emas menerusi 400m rampaian perseorangan hari ini sekali gus hadiah hari jadinya ke-22.

– Utusan

Emas Diana lengkapkan sasaran wusyu

2007-12-12T11:00:00.001+08:00

KORAT – Emas di saat akhir menerusi Diana Bong membolehkan wusyu menutup tirai saingan dengan berjaya membawa pulang dua emas seperti yang disasarkan pada hari terakhir acara itu di Sukan SEA di sini, semalam.

Namun Diana sebenarnya bukan prospek yang diharap memenangi emas pada temasya kali ini tetapi muncul bergaya untuk memenangi acara nanquan wanita dengan mengumpul mata 28.12 daripada tiga disiplin yang ditetapkan.

Begitu pun emas Diana semalam terpaksa dikongsi bersama atlet Vietnam, Vu Thuy Lin yang turut mencatat jumlah mata yang sama manakala gangsa dimenangi seorang lagi atlet negara, Tai Cheau Xuen.

“Mujur Diana dapat meraih emas untuk menepati sasaran kami. Tetapi siapa juga yang memenanginya, ia hanyalah untuk Malaysia,” kata pengurus pasukan, Lum Kok Wai.

Kejayaan Diana itu berjaya menebus kegagalan prospek sebenar emas wusyu iaitu Ang Eng Chong yang hanya sekadar mampu menduduki tempat kelima dalam acara changquan lelaki.

Sebelum ini, emas pertama Malaysia dalam acara wusyu diraih Chai Fong Ying yang muncul juara acara taijiquan/taijijian kelmarin.

Keseluruhannya, wusyu berjaya membawa pulang dua emas, dua perak dan satu gangsa daripada temasya edisi ke-24 kali ini.

Utusan

Rizal ceriakan kem basikal

2007-12-12T10:59:00.001+08:00

KORAT – Skuad berbasikal trek negara memulakan pemburuan untuk membawa pulang enam pingat emas daripada Sukan SEA kali ini dengan Mohd. Rizal Tisin meraih emas pertama menerusi acara 1km ujian masa lelaki di Velodrom Keputeraan Raja Thai Ke-80 di sini, semalam.

Kejayaan, Rizal, 23, itu jelas menceriakan skuad berbasikal negara yang sebelum ini suram selepas kegagalan pelumba dalam acara basikal bukti dan lebuh raya yang gagal meraih sebarang pingat.

Pada saingan akhir yang disertai tujuh pelumba itu, Rizal mencatat masa terpantas 1min:05.980s untuk meninggalkan rakan sepasukan, Azizul Hasni Awang di tempat kedua dan pelumba Filipina, Jan Paul Morales ketiga.

“Saya harap kejayaan ini akan menyuntik semangat pelumba lain untuk meraih lebih banyak emas selepas ini,” katanya yang mempunyai catatan peribadi terbaik 1:03s sebelum ini.

Pada Sukan SEA dua tahun lalu di Filipina, Rizal turut menyumbang satu daripada empat emas yang dibawa pulang menerusi acara pecut berpasukan bergandingan dengan Junaidi Nasir dan Mohd. Faizal Mohamad Noh.

Dengan persembahan awal yang meyakinkan daripada Rizal di sini, peluangnya untuk mempertahankan emas dalam acara pecut berpasukan amat cerah sekali.

Namun semalam, Malaysia sepatutnya meraih satu lagi emas tetapi kegagalan pelumba prospek, Fatehah Mustapha dalam acara 500m ujian masa wanita mengecewakan sedikit skuad negara.

Fatehah, 18, sekadar berupaya meraih gangsa apabila tewas kepada pelumba Indonesia, Muzizah Uyun yang menang emas dan pelumba Thailand, Jutatip Maneephan yang menang perak.

Begitu pun catatan masa Fatehah semalam iaitu 37.185s adalah merupakan catatan peribadi terbaiknya di velodrom terbuka

Utusan

Olahraga tambah dua emas

2007-12-12T10:58:00.001+08:00

RayzamShah Wan Sofian (tengah) mendapat tentangan sengit dua atlet Thailand sebelum memenangi pingat emas acara 110 meter lari berpagar lelaki olahraga Sukan SEA ke-24 di Stadium Utama Korat, semalam.

KORAT – Olahraga terus menjadi antara penyumbang utama pingat pada Sukan SEA ke-24 di sini apabila meraih dua lagi emas di samping satu rekod baru dalam acara 110 meter lari berpagar pada hari keempat saingan di Stadium Utama Keputeraan Raja Thai Ke-80 semalam.

Dua emas terbaru itu diraih Rayzamshah Wan Sofian dalam acara 110 meter lari berpagar lelaki dan Siti Shahida Abdullah dalam acara lontar tukul besi wanita.

Dengan kejayaan dua atlet elit negara itu, menjadikan olahraga keseluruhannya telah menyumbang lima emas setakat ini.

Sebelum ini, olahraga menghasilkan emas menerusi kuartet 4x400m lelaki, Yuan Yufang dalam acara 20km jalan kaki wanita dan Teoh Boon Lim dalam acara 20km jalan kaki lelaki.

Namun kejayaan Rayzamshah, 19, paling bergaya semalam kerana selain berjaya meraih emas pada penyertaan pertamanya, anak kelahiran Keningau, Sabah ini turut mencipta rekod baru Sukan SEA dengan catatan 13.91 saat.

Di samping itu, catatan masanya semalam adalah kali pertama berjaya dilakukannya di bawah 14 saat. Rekod lama acara ini iaitu 13.92s dipegang atlet Thailand, Suplan Wongshriphuck yang turut beraksi semalam tetapi terpaksa berpuas hati di tempat kedua manakala seorang lagi atlet negara, Muhd. Faiz Muhammad ketiga.

“Sebelum ini saya tidak pernah melepasi bawah 14 saat. Tetapi dengan kekuatan yang ada, saya langsung tidak memperdulikan lawan saya dengan berlari sekuat hati. Alhamdulillah ia satu rekod baru Sukan SEA,” katanya.

Dengan kejayaan Rayzamshah itu, Malaysia turut berjaya mengekalkan mahkota acara itu yang dimenangi Mohd. Robani Hassan di Filipina, dua tahun lalu.

Siti Shahida, 26, pula seperti dijangka menepati ramalan apabila memenangi acara lontar tukul besi wanita dengan jarak lontaran terbaik 52.93 meter.

Bagaimanapun catatan guru di Sekolah Sukan Bukit Jalil itu gagal mengatasi rekod Sukan SEA yang diciptanya sendiri di Filipina dua tahun lalu iaitu 53.35 meter.

“Saya memang mahu menang emas di sini kerana ini mungkin temasya Sukan SEA terakhir buat saya,” katanya yang akan mengikat tali pertunangan 30 Disember ini dan dijangka melangsungkan perkahwinan tahun depan.

Namun hasrat sama yang mahu dilakukan atlet 100 meter lari berpagar wanita, Moh Siew Wei, 29, tidak kesampaian apabila sekadar meraih perak sekali gus gagal mempertahankan pingat emas yang dimenanginya dua tahun lalu.

“Kalau boleh, saya memang mahu mengakhiri karier dengan menang emas di sini. Tetapi apa boleh buat kerana saya mungkin tidak sekuat dulu lagi,” katanya yang sebelum ini pernah dua bulan dirawat di hospital kerana masalah tekanan darah rendah.

Sementara itu, selain Muhd. Faiz, Malaysia turut meraih gangsa dalam acara 4x100m lelaki dan wanita serta lompat jauh lelaki menerusi Mohd. Syahrul Amri Mohd. Suhaimi.

Utusan

It’s a golden farewell for hammer thrower Siti Shahida

2007-12-12T10:57:00.000+08:00

SITI Shahida Abdullah signed off by defending her women’s hammer gold medal at His Majesty the King’s 80th Birthday Anniversary Stadium yesterday.

Despite not being at her best form, Siti’s sixth and final throw of 52.93m was good enough for victory.

She was initially worried after opening with a foul throw and registering dismal 47.56m and 47.61m marks in her subsequent attempts.

Indonesians Rose Inggriana (50.79m) won the silver and Yurita Arsyad (49.99m) took the bronze.

Proud: Siti Shahida Abdullah proudly displays the Malaysian flag after winning the hammer gold medal Monday.

The Kuantan-born Siti, who teaches sports science at the Bukit Jalil Sports School, admitted that she had suffered a drastic drop in form heading into the Games.

“I was worried about my form because my recent results had been less than encouraging. But everything worked out well today and I am thankful to have retained the title,” she said.

“I will be getting married soon and I guess it’s time for me to quit. I feel happy to be leaving on a winning note.”

The 26-year-old Siti still holds the Games record of 53.35m, her winning mark in Manila in 2005.

The other Malaysian in the event, Tan Song Hwa, was fifth (49.33m).

Malaysia could only settle for a bronze in the men’s long jump. The 2003 Vietnam Games champion Syahrul Amri Suhaimi posted 7.48m to secure a place on the podium.

The much-touted Josbert Tinus failed to reproduce his best form and was placed fifth with a distance of 7.45m.

Filipino Henry Dagmil successfully defended the title with a Games record mark of 7.87m and Thai Keeratikorn Janmanee secured the silver on 7.75m.

Malaysia finished empty-handed in the men’s pole vault. Debutant Mohd Hafizudin Sahadan was joint fifth with a height of 4.20m. His effort was way off the winning mark of 5.10m posted by Thailand’s Sompong Saombankuay.

Star

Shalin inspires women to gold but our men settle for bronze

2007-12-12T10:56:00.004+08:00

IT was joy for Shalin Zulkifli but agony for Zulmazran Zulkifli in the trios event of the bowling competition at the SF Strike Bowl in Bangkok yesterday.

Malaysia’s bowling icon Shalin delivered when it mattered most to lead the women’s trios to victory but Zulmazran failed to spare in the deciding frame and the men’s team lost the gold medal, settling for the bronze – four pins behind winners Singapore.

Shalin combined with Esther Cheah and Zatil Iman Abdul Ghani to take the gold with a score of 3,554.

The trio had taken a good lead after the first block of three games played on the long oil conditions but two poor games by Shalin in the fourth (167) and fifth (159) allowed the Thais and Singaporeans to occupy the first two spots.

But Shalin struck a high 254 in the final game – her highest game in the tournament thus far – to get the Malaysian team back to the top.

Thailand’s Aree Gunnalada, Saowapha Kunaksorn, Angkana Netrviseth finished second on 3,513 pins and Singapore’s Evelyn Chan, Jasmine Yeong-Nathan and Amanda Ng took the bronze on 3,489.

The second Malaysian trios of Sharon Koh, Siti Safiyah Amirah Abdul Rahman and Zandra Aziela Ibrahim Hakimi finished sixth with a 3,373 total.

For Zatil and Esther, it was their second gold in the competition after their triumph in the doubles the previous day.

The 29-year-old Shalin was glad to finally land a gold after settling for the bronze in both the singles and doubles.

“I tried hard but just couldn’t get the lines in the fourth and fifth games. The lanes on short oil were challenging,” she said.

“I was struggling and that cost us our lead and we needed to get high scores in the last game. The coach (Holloway Cheah) helped me to make some changes and fortunately Esther and I managed to get it right.”

The Singapore trio of Shaun Ng, Jason Yeong-Nathan and Remy Ong emerged as champions on 3,490, just one pin more than Indonesia, represented by Ryan Lalisang, Haqi Rumandung, Oscar Oscar.

The other Malaysian trio of Daniel Lim, Alex Liew and Mohd Syafiq Ridhwan Abdul Malek posted 3,351 for seventh place.

Holloway said that he had decided to leave out Syafiq and Zandra for today’s five-man and five-woman team events.

“The most dejected man today is Zulmazran. He is demoralised but I hope he will bounce back tomorrow. I think we are on the right track to win a double (in the team events) again in the Games,” said Holloway.

Star

Diana bags gold to make up for Manila disappointment

2007-12-12T10:56:00.003+08:00

IT was the moment of glory that Diana Bong Siong Lin was waiting for and she was not about to let it slip from her hands.

In her debut in the SEA Games, Diana delivered a bonus gold medal for Malaysia, winning the women's nanquan (southern style boxing) all-round competition at the Chanapolkhan Institute of Technology in Korat yesterday.

Diana came good in the final nandao (sword) routine and was awarded 9.43 points to take her total to 28.12. She tied with Vietnamese Vu Thuy Linh and they were declared as joint winners.

The Vietnamese, who was the leader with Malaysia's Tai Cheau Xuen after the nanquan and nangun (stick) routines, was given 9.42 for her performance in nandao.

Serious: Diana Bong Siong Lin en route to winning gold in the women’s nanquan event Monday.

Cheau Xuen only managed 9.35 yesterday and settled for the bronze on 28.05.

For Diana, the success made up for the disappointment of the last Games in Manila where she was taken out of the squad a week before they left for Manila.

“I tore two ligaments and could not recover in time. I underwent surgery and it took me almost a year off competition.

“For the Manila Games, I believed that I had a chance to be a gold medallist because the disciplines were separated,” said the 22-year-old Sarawakian.

“This time they were combined as one and winning it is so much better. I did not do well on the first day but I tried not to worry about it too much.”

Diana, who won a bronze in the same combined event in the Doha Asian Games last year, produced a sparkling performance on the final day of the competition to cap a fine outing for Malaysia after the disappointment in Manila.

Then, Malaysia managed to win two silver and three bronze medals. This time, Malaysia will return home with a haul of 2-2-1.

The other gold medallist in Korat was Asian Games and World Championships gold medallist Chai Fong Ying in the women's taijiquan and taijijian all-round event.

In the men's changquan (northern style boxing) all-round yesterday, Malaysia's Ang Eng Chong finished fifth on 28.31. Aung Si Thu of Myanmar took the gold on 28.65.

Pui Fook Chien missed out on a bronze, finishing fourth on 28.18 in the men's nanquan all-round competition won by World Championships gold medallist Willy Wang of the Philippines, who had a total of 28.60.

Star

Elvinn topples Nafzahizam in the final

2007-12-12T10:56:00.001+08:00

SECOND seed Elvinn Keo turned the tables on team-mate Nafzahizam Adnan to win the men's squash gold medal at the Ratchapphruek Club in Bangkok yesterday.

It was a blow for the 22-year-old Nafzahizam, who had wanted to keep the gold medal in the family following the success of his younger brother, Nafiizwan, at the last Games in Manila.

Elvinn did not have it easy against the top seed and slogged to carve out a 10-8, 4-9, 9-4, 5-9, 9-4 in 90 minutes.

Nafzahizam is ranked 120th in the world while the 19-year-old Elvinn is at number 155. Both of them were playing in their first SEA Games.

Star

Show jumping team stay true to form to deliver third gold

2007-12-12T10:54:00.004+08:00

MALAYSIA easily clinched their third gold medal in as many events in equestrian, emerging as the team show jumping champion at the Horseshoe Point and Thai Polo Club in Pattaya yesterday.

The Malaysian team comprised brothers Quzier Ambak Mahamad Fathil and Qabil Ambak, Syazna Leena Zulhasnan and Syed Omar Almohdzar.

Qabil was also in the gold medal-winning dressage team and also emerged as the individual winner.

In the first round of the three-nation show jumping competition yesterday, Quzier, who rode Calano, had eight penalties; Syazna, on Helu de Caudard, had 16; and Syed Omar, who rode

With the top three scores counting, Malaysia had a total of 12 penalties to take the lead.

In the second round, Qabil had another clean sheet. Quzier had 12 penalties, Syazna was on 28 and Syed Omar on eight.

The score of 20 took the total to 32 for the gold medal.

Only Malaysia were awarded a medal because Thailand and the Philippines did not have at least three riders completing the course.

The Thais with four riders had two of them Dhewin Manathanya and Akkasit Tiatrakul eliminated after their respective horses failed to make a jump after two attempts.

The Philippines had three riders and two of them Daniella Virata and Rafeal Lorenzo were eliminated.

Malaysian team manager Dr S. Selvarajah said: “We have won all the gold medals at stake thus far. We hope our riders will keep up their strong performances in the individual show competition as well.”

Qabil and Syed Omar will feature in the individual competition tomorrow.

Star

Teenager Rayzam hurdles his way to a surprise gold

2007-12-12T10:54:00.003+08:00

HURDLER Rayzam Shah Wan Sofian got into the SEA Games squad only because 2005 champion Robani Hassan was injured.

But not content with seeking exposure, the teenager ran the race of his life to not only bag the men’s 110m hurdles gold medal but he also shattered the Games record.

The 19-year-old Sabahan clocked 13.91 to better the previous record of 13.92 set by Thailand’s Suphan Wongsriphuck in Hanoi in 2003.

Suphan won the silver in 13.95 and another Malaysian, Mohd Faiz Mohd, took the bronze in 14.00.

Rayzam Shah Wan Sofian waving the Jalur Gemilang after winning the men’s 110m hurdles.

Faiz was the silver medallist behind Robani in Manila two years ago.

“When I was named as Robani’s replacement, I told myself that I needed to make full use of this rare chance. I dedicate this victory to all the people in Keningau, my hometown in Sabah,” said Rayzam.

“I was not paying attention to the other lanes during the race as my only focus was to stay ahead of the pack. I am happy to have beaten Faiz for the first time, and also the double bonus of finishing ahead of Suphan and breaking his Games record.”

Prior to yesterday’s race, Rayzam had not dipped below 14 seconds, and had a 14.15 personal best set at the national championships in Kangar this year.

Moh Siew Wei failed to make it a double celebration for Malaysia, settling for silver in the defence of her women’s 100m hurdles title.

Siew Wei, who had been out of action for much of the year, clocked 13.61. Indonesian Dedah Erawati won in 13.51.

After the race, Siew Wei, 29, announced that she wished to retire from competitions.

“I was simply not fit enough to match Dedah over the final two hurdles. I would not have competed in Korat but was persuaded to do so by coach Hanapiah Nasir. I am sorry that I let him down,” said the bank executive.

“I guess the time is right for me to quit and concentrate on my career and raise a family. I feel under-appreciated despite having represented the nation for a decade,” added Siew Wei, who suffered from a low red blood cell count and also had several injuries this year.

Meanwhile, both the Malaysian men’s and women’s 4x100m teams delivered the bronze medal.

The men’s quartet of Arif Naim Jeffry, Mohd Noor Imran Hadi, Mohd Latif Nyat and Mohd Zabidi Ghazali finished in 39.90, behind Thailand (38.95, Games record) and Indonesia (39.79).

The women’s team of Noor Hazwinie Norizan, Siti Fatimah Mohamad, Azizah Ibrahim and Norjannah Jamaluddin also did well to earn a podium finish. They clocked 46.38, behind winners Thailand (44.00, Games record) and Vietnam (45.62).

Star

Cyclist Rizal outsprints Azizul to emerge champion

2007-12-12T10:54:00.001+08:00

THE opening day of track cycling action saw Mohd Rizal Tisin and Azizul Hasni Awang giving Malaysia a 1-2 finish in the men's 1km individual time trial competition yesterday.

There was also a bronze medal-winning effort from Fatehah Mustapa in the women's 500m time trial in the velodrome at the Korat Sport Centre.

Mohd Rizal was a comfortable winner even though he set a poor time of 1:05.98, which was way off the national record of 1:03.781 which he set in the first round of the World Cup in Sydney last month.

Against all odds: Mohd Rizal Tisin celebrates with the Jalur Gemilang after winning the men's 1km time trial gold Monday.

Azizul clocked 1:06.64 to take the silver ahead of Filipino Paul Jan Morales (1:07.24).

“It was not a good time but it felt good to win a gold medal for the country in the SEA Games. I am capable doing a 1:03 for this event,” said Mohd Rizal.

“I have to admit that I am not at my best yet for the Games.

“I just arrived from Beijing last night after competing in the second round of the Track World Cup. I am competing here after just four hours of sleep.

“The track conditions were also not good and there was a lot of wind blowing, which just made it even harder to get a smooth ride today. When I saw Azizul making a 1:06, I knew that a 1:05 would be enough to take the gold medal.”

Fatehah clocked 37.18 to finish behind Indonesia's Muzizah Uyun (36.45) and Thailand's Jutatip Maneephan (36.49). It bettered her national record of 38.68, which she set in the Asian Championships in Bangkok in September

“I am still feeling lethargic from competing in Beijing and travelling as well.

“I just couldn't push myself any harder, especially in the final 100m to achieve a better time,” said Fatehah.

Malaysia drew blanks in the men's 40km points race. Saiful Anwar finished fifth while Mohd Jasmin Ruslan and Mohd Harris Saleh failed to complete the race. Victor Espiritu of the Philippines won the gold.

Star

Flawless Rizal ends cycling wait

2007-12-12T10:53:00.001+08:00

Mohd Rizal Tisin.

CYCLING finally ended its drought when Mohd Rizal Tisin won gold in the men's 1km time trial at His Majesty The King's 80th Anniversary Velodrome yesterday.

There was more good news when Azizulhasni Mohd Awang finished second in 1:06.645s. Third was Morales Jan Paul of the Philippines who clocked 1:07.244s. Rizal won in 1:05.980s.

Rizal put in a flawless performance despite arriving in Korat only on the eve of his race.

However, he was not happy with his timing.

"I just returned from Beijing after a competition. I am still tired. I only had about four hours sleep." Rizal was in Beijing for Round Two of the World Cup.
Furthermore, he added, the track was not up to standard and the wind condition was bad.

"Those who have trained on this track would have had an advantage," he added.

"I have clocked 1:03.200s before but here I was timed at 1:05.980s. I should have done better."

Meanwhile, Azizul said he was recovering from a bout of flu. "I am still coughing but I managed to finish second."

Yesterday's gold and silver made up for the disappointment of Europe-based cyclists Ng Yong Li and Muhammad Fauzan Ahmad Lutfi who failed in the men's 42km individual time trial.

NST

Elvinn upstages Nafzahizam

2007-12-12T10:51:00.000+08:00

SECOND seed Elvinn Keo upset top-seeded Nafzahizam Adnan in a see-saw all-Malaysian final to win gold in the men's individual squash at the Ratchphruek Club in Bangkok yesterday.

The final took an hour and 24 minutes to complete as the two national back-up players refused to concede an inch in a match that Elvinn eventually won 10-8, 4-9, 9-4, 5-9, 9-4.

Nafzahizam's loss meant he failed to emulate his younger brother Nafiizwan's win two years ago in Manila but the final appearances of Sea Games debutants Elvinn and Nafzahizam guaranteed the men's individual gold remained in Malaysia's hands since Kenneth Low's 1995 triumph in Changmai.

"He played well, it was a tiring match and I had to give it my all to win. I'm very pleased to win the gold on my debut and having to fight hard for it made it even sweeter," said Elvinn.

The Malaysian duo had an easy ride to the final as they needed to win only twice against players of lesser calibre having received first round byes.
But Elvinn was not expecting to win gold as Nafzahizam is more experienced and ranked higher on the men's PSA Tour.

"This is my best achievement this year. I did not want the match to be one-sided so I raised my game and got the win," he said.

NST

Diana's gold a perfect gift for mum

2007-12-12T10:50:00.002+08:00

National wushu exponent Diana Bong scored 28.12 points in the swordplay discipline to share the nanquan gold with Vietnam's Vu Thuy Linh yesterday.

DIANA Bong won the last wushu gold yesterday - the nanquan discipline - and dedicated it to her mother, Mary Liu.

But Diana, who amassed a total of 28.12 points for the swordplay discipline, had to share the gold with Vietnam's Vu Thuy Linh.

The discipline was held over three days and Diana scored 9.27 on the first day, 9.42 on the second and 9.43 yesterday.

As competition between the Vietnamese and Malaysian was so keen, the judges from China failed to pick an outright winner and awarded gold to both.

"Though I am disappointed to share this gold I am happy I had given my best, and I dedicate this win to my mother," said Diana.
The 22-year-old from Sarawak is currently waiting for a placement with Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) and has not seen her mum since Chinese New Year last February.

"Because of the training and my studies and also the travelling we have been doing, I have not had a chance to be with my mother.

"I hope to meet her when I get back and give her this gold medal."

Compatriot Tai Cheau Xuen took the bronze with a score of 25.24.

Malaysian exponents won a total of two gold (to meet their target), two silver and one bronze from the wushu competition which ended yesterday.

NST

Women strike gold, men fumble

2007-12-12T10:50:00.001+08:00

Malaysia's bowlers (clockwise, from left) Aaron Kong, Esther Cheah, Shalin Zulkifli, Zatil Iman, Adrian Ang and Zulmazran Zulkifli pose with their medals after taking the women's trios gold and the men's trios bronze at the SF Strike Bowl in Bangkok yesterday.

SHALIN Zulkifli rode to Malaysia's rescue with a blazing final game in the women's trios but an error by Zulmazran Zulkifli in the last frame denied Malaysia a double victory at the SF Strike Bowl in Bangkok yesterday.

The women's trios gold appeared lost after Shalin rolled a poor 159 in the penultimate game as she, Esther Cheah and Zatil Iman Abdul Ghani found themselves trailing the Thai trio of Aree Gunnalada, Kunaksorn Saowapha and Netrviseth Angkana by 61 pins.

But a pep talk by sports psychologist Frederick Tan saw the Malaysians stage a comeback of mighty proportions as Shalin and Esther downed 254 and 238 respectively in addition to Zatil's 181 for a final game 673 which gave Malaysia a total of 3,554 for gold.

Thailand finished 41 pins adrift on 3,513 after a dramatic 102-pin turnaround while Singapore's Evelyn Chan, Jasmine Yeong-Nathan and Amanda Ng took bronze on 3,489.

"We knew what we had to do to win. We found it difficult adjusting to the lanes and couldn't find the lines for the first few games but going into that last game, we knew we had to do it by hook or by crook," said Shalin, who won her 14th gold medal in five Sea Games appearances.
Rookie Zatil, who added the trios gold to the doubles gold she won with Esther a day earlier, was in a state of disbelief as the magnitude of their comeback began to sink it.

"It was just unreal and I can hardly believe it. Frederick said not to give up and just bowl your best. Although I did only 181 in the last game, I had great support from Shalin and Esther," said the 19-year-old Sea Games debutante.

But it was heartbreak for the men's trios of Zulmazran, Adrian Ang and Aaron Kong, who had the gold medal clearly within their sights but a three-pin split in the final frame by Zulmazran proved costly.

The Malaysians were forced to settle for bronze on 3,486 after having trailed the Indonesian trio of Ryan Lalisang, Oscar and Haqi Rumandung by nine pins going into the final game.

Indonesia finished three pins ahead of Malaysia but they themselves were overtaken by the Singapore trio of Ng Qenn, Jason Yeong-Nathan and Remy Ong, who won by the slenderest of margins after Remy knocked down a nine in his last roll for a single-pin win.

National coach Holloway Cheah, while happy with the women's extraordinary comeback, was livid with the men's inability to finish the job.

"It should have been a great day for Malaysia but that last frame split was all that separated us from gold. It could have been two today (yesterday) but we still have five events left for us to reach our four-gold target," he said.

For the team of fives today, Holloway is set to drop a poorly-performing Zandra Aziela Ibrahim Hakimi but will decide on the men's team at the last possible moment.

NST

Flawless Qabil leads team to showjumping gold

2007-12-12T10:49:00.000+08:00

Qabil Ambak won his third gold of the Games when he gave an inspired performance to lead the showjumping team.

QABIL Ambak Mahammad Fathil gave a flawless performance as he led Malaysia to the team showjumping gold at Horseshoe Point in Pattaya City yesterday.

It was Qabil's third gold of this Games and his eighth overall as he rode a perfect round by not registering a single penalty point on his horse Parvina while simultaneously qualifying for tomorrow's individual final.

Qabil was ably supported by Syed Omar Al Mohdzar (four penalties), Quzier Ambak Mahammad Fathil (eight) and debutante Syazna Leena Zulhasnan (16) as Malaysia won with a total of 12 penalty points.

Thailand took silver on 18 points but defending champions the Philippines were denied bronze despite finishing third on 100 points since only three teams competed, thus no bronze was awarded.

"It was quite a close fight with Thailand in the first two rotations but we all rode great, my teammates did very well and we eventually managed to pull away from the Thais," said Qabil.
Qabil now turns his attention to defending his individual showjumping gold medal as he looks to repeat his four-gold feat of the 2001 Kuala Lumpur Sea Games.

"I'm so excited just having won three here but I am hoping to get another one on Wednesday (tomorrow). There was a bit of pressure on us today (yesterday) since we were hoping to regain the team gold for Malaysia but I will be riding Parvina again to win the individual gold," said Qabil, who will be joined by Syed Omar in the final.

The equestrian team, who had set out to win two gold, have already surpassed that target after winning three gold - the dressage team and individual gold in addition to the team showjumping title - and one silver through Quzandria Nur Mahammad Fathil in the dressage individual.

NST

Elvinn raih emas ketepi Nafzahizam

2007-12-12T10:48:00.000+08:00

STATUS lawan lebih senior tidak diendahkan Elvinn Keo yang memastikan pingat emas acara skuasy miliknya selepas menewaskan rakan senegara, Nafzahizam Adnan dalam perlawanan akhir di Ratchaphruek Club, Bangkok, semalam.

Namun dalam pertemuan yang sudah menjamin emas dan perak untuk negara, Elvinn jelas dipaksa bekerja keras dan menangani masalah kekejangan otot sebelum mampu menundukkan Nafzahizam 3-2.

Set pertama menyaksikan saingan sengit sebelum Elvinn menang 10-8 tetapi Nafzahizam menggunakan pengalamannya untuk bangkit dan mengikat kedudukan selepas memenangi set kedua, 9-4.

Aksi lebih kemas dijelmakan Elvinn pada set ketiga untuk menang 9-4 tetapi semangat melawan kental Nafzahizam menyaksikannya terus memaksa aksi berlanjutan dengan kemenangan 9-5 pada set keempat.

Penentuan pemenang dalam aksi penuh debaran itu akhirnya memihak kepada Elvinn dengan kemenangan 9-4 walaupun dia nyata sudah tidak bermaya dan mengalami kekejangan otot.

"Dia (Nafzahizam) bermain dengan baik, ia perlawanan yang lama dan memenatkan dengan saya terpaksa mengerah segala tenaga. Sudah semestinya saya amat gembira dengan kemenangan ini," kata Elvinn.

Kemenangan itu tambah manis kerana ia adalah penyertaan sulung Elvinn di pentas Sukan Sea dan dia sendiri tidak menyangka dapat menewaskan rakan sepasukan itu yang jauh lebih berpengalaman.

"Ini adalah pencapaian terbesar saya tahun ini. Ia bukan saingan berat sebelah. Cuma mungkin saya berusaha lebih sedikit dan berjaya menghasilkan kemenangan," katanya.

Berita Harian

Sukan Sea: Wushu akhiri cabaran penuh ceria

2007-12-12T10:47:00.000+08:00

WUSHU melakarkan nota gembira, semalam apabila melabuhkan tirai acara berkenaan di Institut Teknologi Chanapolkhan, Korat semalam, dengan membawa pulang dua pingat emas, dua perak dan satu gangsa.

Kejayaan itu dianggap detik bersejarah skuad itu berbanding catatan pada Sukan Sea Manila yang menyaksikan pasukan negara gagal meraih pingat.

Pengurus pasukan, Lum Kok Wai berkata atlit negara menyajikan persembahan terbaik mereka dan berjaya mencapai sasaran seperti yang ditetapkan Majlis Sukan Negara (MSN).

“Hari ini saya boleh melaporkan berita gembira dalam mesyuarat harian bersama Chef-de-Mission. Ia adalah kejayaan atlit hasil daripada kerjasama dan usaha keras semua pihak,” katanya.

Acara wushu memulakan catatan memberangsangkan, Jumaat lalu dengan pingat perak sumbangan Lim Yew Fai, Ng Say Yoke dan Wee Jung Jieh dalam acara duilian.

Ia diikuti juara kejohanan dunia, Chai Fong Yin, yang membutirkan emas pertama acara Taijiquan-Taijijian selain Ng Shin Yii membawa pulang perak.

Semalam, Diana Bong meraih emas dan Tai Cheau Xuen membawa pulang gangsa bagi acara Nanquan.

Mengulas mengenai mutu pengadilan sukan subjektif ini yang sering dikatakan memihak kepada pasukan tuan rumah, Kok Wai, berkata ia adalah perkara lumrah tetapi kelihatan kali ini, ia tidak begitu dirasai.

Berita Harian

'Saya sedia terus berbakti'

2007-12-12T10:46:00.001+08:00

Yufang tidak akan berundur selagi khidmatnya diperlukan

JIKA ada anugerah bagi mereka yang memiliki semangat juang serta pengorbanan tinggi, seharusnya pengiktirafan itu menjadi milik pejalan kaki negara Yuan Yufang.

Sejak menjadikan Malaysia negara angkatnya, Yufang sentiasa bersedia untuk turun menyarung jersi Harimau Malaysia sekalipun terpaksa berkorban kesihatan dan juga keluarga.

Contohnya pada Sukan Sea XXI di Kuala Lumpur, Yufang melahirkan anak pertamanya dan tidak sampai tiga bulan terus turun menjalani latihan dan memberi emas kepada Malaysia dalam acara 10 kilometer dan 20km. Ini disusuli dengan pembedahan kecil jantung beberapa minggu sebelum Sukan Sea 2003 tetapi dia tampil untuk memberikan emas buat Malaysia.

Dan di Korat, Yufang sekali lagi melakukan pengorbanan kali ini membabitkan keluarganya apabila terpaksa meninggalkan anak kedua yang baru lahir di bawah jagaan ibu untuk menjalani latihan bertanding dalam Sukan Sea XXIV.

"Sebaik melahirkan anak awal tahun ini saya terpaksa meninggalkan bayi perempuan saya di bawah jagaan ibu saya di Hubei bagi membolehkan saya menjalani latihan menghadapi Sukan Sea," kata Yufang selepas mempertahankan pingat emas 20km jalan kaki, semalam.

"Kini saya boleh berehat dan mengambil cuti panjang untuk kembali menjaga bayi perempuan saya," kata atlit yang kini sudah mencecah usia 31 tahun itu.

Sejak pertama kali melayari balapan dengan Jalur Gemilang tersemat dalam diri pada 1995 di Sukan Sea Jakarta, Yufang sentiasa menyatakan penyertaan dan kemenangannya adalah semata-mata untuk Malaysia dan ditanya apakah Korat 2007 adalah penyertaan terakhir, Yufang memberi jawapan, "Selagi negara memerlukan khidmat saya, selagi itu saya akan beraksi.

"Apa yang saya lakukan ini semuanya untuk negara Malaysia tidak sebab lain dan saya gembira dan berbangga dalam menyumbangkan bakti saya kepada Malaysia," katanya.

Berita Harian

Sukan Sea: Qabil, rakan sumbang emas

2007-12-12T10:45:00.001+08:00

SEBUTIR lagi pingat emas berjaya dibawa pulang daripada acara ekuestrian apabila Mohd Qabil Mahammad Fathil Ambak mengemudi pasukan negara muncul juara acara showjumping berpasukan di Horseshoe Point di Pattaya City, semalam.

Ia adalah pungutan emas ketiga buat Qabil selepas mengumpul dua emas masing-masing dalam acara dressage individu dan berpasukan sebelum ini dan kelapan secara keseluruhan dalam penampilan di Sukan Sea sejak 2001.

Semalam, Qabil mencipta persembahan sempurna apabila tidak dikenakan sebarang penalti bersama kudanya sambil akan terus layak ke acara individu yang akan berlangsung, esok di tempat sama.

Qabil membantu rakan sepasukan, Syed Omar Al Mohdzar (empat penalti), adiknya Quzier (lapan) dan Syazna Leena Zulhasnan (16) ketika Malaysia menang dengan jumlah 12 penalti.

Thailand memenangi perak dengan 18 mata tetapi juara bertahan, Filipina tidak diberikan gangsa berikutan hanya tiga pasukan mengambil bahagian.

"Ia adalah pertarungan sengit dengan Thailand dalam dua pusingan pertama tetapi kami semua menunggang dengan bagus, rakan sepasukan saya beraksi dengan bagus dan berjaya menjarakkan diri dengan Thailand," kata Qabil.

Qabil kini akan mula memberi perhatian untuk mempertahankan emas acara showjumping individu yang sudah dipertahankan sejak Sukan Sea Kuala Lumpur 2001.

"Saya amat gembira kerana menang tiga emas di sini tetapi saya harap akan menang satu lagi emas nanti. Ada tekanan dirasai oleh kami hari ini (semalam) tetapi saya harap akan menang sekali lagi dalam acara individu," kata Qabil.

Dalam acara final esok, Qabil akan disertai Syed Omar dengan hanya dua peserta dibenarkan bagi sesebuah negara.

Berita Harian

Bolot emas dan perak ujian masa 1km individu

2007-12-12T10:03:00.000+08:00

SKUAD berbasikal negara menawan Velodrom Stadium Ulang Tahun, Korat semalam menerusi acara ujian masa 1 kilometer individu apabila Mohd Rizal Tisin dan Mohd Azizulhasni Awang masing-masing meraih pingat emas dan perak.

Rizal mencatat masa 1:05.98s manakala Azizul tercicir dengan 1:06.64s. Tempat ketiga diraih pelumba Filipina, Paul Morales dengan catatan masa 1:07.30s.

Pelumba kelahiran Klang itu menegaskan catatan masanya itu kurang baik berbanding catatan rekod baru kebangsaan yang dicipta ketika Pusingan Pertama Trek Piala Dunia di Sydney yang disertainya iaitu 1:03.20s, tiga minggu lalu.

"Saya hanya dapat tidur selama empat jam sebelum turun menguji trek dan masih terasa letih selepas penerbangan yang agak lama selepas menyertai Pusingan 1 dan 2 di Sydney dan Beijing.

"Namun saya bersyukur mampu meraih emas dalam acara ini, satu permulaan yang baik untuk saya di sini," katanya yang memenangi emas dalam acara pecut berpasukan di Manila 2005.

Mengulas mengenai trek di velodrom itu, Rizal berkata, permukaan trek agak perlahan selain tiupan angin yang agak kuat, menyukarkannya untuk melakukan catatan lebih baik.

Sementara itu, Azizulhasni berkata, dia baru sembuh daripada demam panas dan masih terbatuk-batuk menjelang perlumbaan semalam.

"Sejak awal saya memang sudah menjangkakan tidak mampu menewaskan Rizal dan dengan keadaan masih batuk, kedudukan perak boleh dianggap memuaskan," katanya.

Berita Harian

Sukan Sea: Diana pelengkap

2007-12-12T10:02:00.000+08:00

DIANA Bong melengkapkan sasaran skuad wushu apabila meraih pingat emas dalam acara Nanquan wanita di arena Institut Teknologi Chanapolkhan, Korat, semalam.

Seorang lagi peserta Malaysia, Tai Cheau Xuen yang membuat penampilan sulung pada temasya dwitahunan ini, mengiringi Diana dengan meraih pingat gangsa.

Kelmarin, Chai Fong Yin meraih emas acara Taijiquan-Taijijian dan kemenangan semalam, dianggap sebagai hari gembira untuk skuad wushu.

Bagaimanapun, Diana menyatakan dia sedikit kecewa dengan kemenangan itu apabila terpaksa berkongsi emas dengan peserta Vietnam, Vu Thuy Linh.

Acara yang dimenangi itu membabitkan tiga disiplin dan Diana meraih 9.27 mata dalam acara Nanquen, Nanquan (9.42) dan Nandao (9.43) bagi mengumpul 28.12 mata, jumlah mata yang turut diraih peserta Vietnam.

"Memang saya gembira dapat menyumbang emas kepada negara tetapi sedikit terkilan kerana emas yang diraih terpaksa dikongsikan bersama atlit Vietnam.

"Saya mengharapkan kemenangan mutlak dalam acara ini dan berusaha bersungguh-sungguh tetapi apa nak dibuat kerana dia juga hebat memberikan saingan," katanya yang meraih perak pada Kejohanan Wushu Dunia di Beijing, bulan lalu.

Pada Sukan Asia di Doha, Diana juga meraih gangsa dalam acara ini.

Sementara itu, jurulatih Wushu, Woong Thong Foong berkata saingan dalam kategori ini nyata sengit ketika perhatian lebih menjurus kepada peserta Vietnam itu.

"Sebelum turun ke gelanggang hari ini (semalam) kita memberi suntikan semangat kepadanya dan nyata dia berjaya menyerap tekanan untuk meraih mata," katanya.

Berita Harian

Emas kita tambah berkilau

2007-12-11T17:18:00.001+08:00

MOHD. Rizal Tisin menyumbangkan pingat emas pertama Malaysia dalam lumba basikal trek selepas memenangi acara 1km ujian masa di Korat, semalam.

KORAT – Kemampuan kontinjen negara untuk memenuhi sasaran 64 pingat emas pada Sukan SEA ke-24 semakin meyakinkan apabila menambah sembilan lagi emas semalam, dan hari ini mereka dilihat memiliki prospek yang baik untuk memenangi sekurang-kurangnya 13 acara.

Semalam, olahraga menyumbangkan emas kelimanya di Korat dengan merangkul dua lagi pingat, salah satunya beserta rekod baru Sukan SEA.

Atlet berusia 19 tahun, Rayzam Shah Wan Sofian melakar kejutan dengan memenangi acara 110 meter berpagar menerusi rekod Temasya, 13.91 saat, mengatasi catatan lama 13.92s milik pelari Thailand, Suplan Wongshriphuck yang dibuat di Vietnam 2003.

Siti Shahida Abdullah menghadiahkan emas kedua Malaysia dalam acara baling tukul besi, sekali gus mempertahankan kejuaraan yang dimenangi pada dua temasya terakhir.

Hari ini, olahraga dijangka terus menjadi lubuk emas Malaysia pada hari terakhir acara itu, dan prospek mereka bakal diketuai juara Asia, Roslinda Samsu (lompat bergalah) dan Lee Hup Wei (lompat tinggi lelaki).

Malah, Ngew Sin Mei akan turun memburu kejuaraan hatrik dalam lompat kijang wanita, manakala Yuan Yufang menjadi pilihan utama untuk memenangi acara 10,000 meter wanita.

Sementara itu juara Piala Asia, Rizal Tisin memberikan pingat emas pertama daripada enam yang disasarkan lumba basikal apabila menjuarai acara 1 kilometer ujian masa, semalam.

Hari ini, lumba basikal diletak sebagai pilihan utama dalam empat acara akhir, bermakna mereka berpotensi menambah empat lagi pingat emas dalam acara trek.

Rizal akan mengetuai cabaran Malaysia dalam acara pecut individu bersama jaguh dunia, Josiah Ng, malah kedua-dua pelumba juga berkedudukan baik untuk membawa Malaysia muncul juara pecut berpasukan.

Pasukan negara turut menjadi pilihan untuk memenangi acara kejar-mengejar berpasukan lelaki, selain meletakkan harapan tinggi kepada pelumba berusia 19 tahun, Fatehah Mustapha untuk memenangi acara 200m pecut wanita.

Sementara itu gimnastik menghadiahkan dua emas dalam acara artistik menerusi Chan Sau Wah (palang bertingkat wanita) dan Ooi Wei Siang (palang lintang lelaki), namun mereka tidak berpeluang menambah pungutan pingat kerana acara tersebut sudah berakhir semalam.

Ekusterian, yang mengutip emas ketiga berturut-turut daripada acara show jumping berpasukan semalam, sebaliknya berada pada landasan terbaik untuk merangkul emas keempat dalam show jumping individu hari ini. Qabil Ambak Mahamad Fathil sekali lagi menjadi pertaruhan.

Boling pada dasarnya turut diletakkan sasaran untuk menambah pungutan emas apabila turun dalam acara berpasukan, yang merupakan acara yang didominasi Malaysia sejak sekian lama.

Selepas memberikan emas dalam acara trio semalam, Shalin Zulkifli, Esther Cheah dan Zatil Iman Abdul Ghani akan berganding lagi memburu emas berpasukan wanita, malah, jika mempamer aksi terbaik, skuad lelaki juga memiliki prospek untuk menghadiahkan emas menerusi Aaron Kong, Adrian Ang, Zulmazran Zulkifli, Alex Liew dan Daniel Lim.

Wusyu menutup kempen Sukan SEA dengan memenuhi sasaran untuk membawa pulang dua pingat emas di Korat apabila meraih emas kedua menerusi Diana Bong dalam Nanquan wanita semalam.

Skuasy pula menyaksikan penguasaan penuh Malaysia apabila dua pemainnya, Elvin Keo dan Mohd. Nafzahizam Adnan bertemu sesama sendiri pada perlawanan akhir. Elvin menang 10-8, 4-9, 9-4, 5-9, 9-4.

Turut menjadi tumpuan hari ini pastinya di kolam renang, di mana perenang remaja sensasi, Daniel Bego menjadi pilihan untuk mempertahankan kejuaraannya dalam acara 200m kuak kupu-kupu dan 200m gaya bebas.

Khoo Cai Lin, yang berjaya memecah rekod Sukan SEA dalam acara 800m gaya bebas kelmarin, turut menjadi tumpuan dalam acara 200m kuak kupu-kupu wanita.

Selepas mengharungi empat hari Temasya, kontinjen negara kini menduduki tangga keempat pungutan pingat keseluruhan dengan memenangi 24 emas, 21 perak dan 45 gangsa.

Thailand terus mengungguli saingan dengan 78 emas, 75 perak dan 60 gangsa, diikuti Vietnam (41-22-46) dan Singapura (32-26-22).

Utusan

Rayzam's stunning run

2007-12-11T17:15:00.000+08:00

Rayzam Shah won the 110m hurdles in a Games record time of 13.91s.

IN the end, Robani Hassan's absence wasn't felt as Rayzam Shah Wan Sofian blazed the track to win the Sea Games men's 110m hurdles as Siti Shahida Abdullah bid farewell by adding a second gold from track and field yesterday.

Yesterday's two gold brought the athletics tally to five and edged them closer to the target of 10 but Rayzam was the star of the day for Malaysia.

"I am from Keningau (Sabah) and I dedicate this gold medal to my people from there," said Rayzam, 19.

Victory was achieved in record-breaking fashion as he set a new Games record of 13.91s, bettering the previous mark by 0.01s.

Fears that 2005 Manila Sea Games champion Robani's withdrawal through injury would hurt proved unfounded as Muhd Faiz Mohammad took the bronze, setting a season's best of 14.00s in the process.
Thailand's Suplan Wongsriphuck, who held the previous record, took silver.

As Rayzam gets prepared for what should be an exciting career, hammer thrower Siti Shahida said this was probably her final appearance in the Sea Games.

"I am getting married soon and I don't think I will be competing in the next edition," said Siti Shahida.

She won gold with a throw of 52.93m, achieved in her final attempt but she wasn't happy with the distance. "My personal best is 54.50m, which I achieved in a competition in Kazakhtstan earlier this year."

Malaysia's other representative Tan Song Hwa finished sixth with a 42.27m effort while Indonesia's Rose Hwrlinda Inggriana (50.79m) and Yurita Arianny Arsyad (49.99m) took silver and bronze respectively.

But it was not all good news at the track yesterday as potential gold medals were lost in several events.

Moh Siew Wei settled for silver in the women's 100m hurdles, clocking 13.61s. Indonesian Dedeh Erawatin (13.51s) took gold and Thailand's Wallapa's Pansoongneun (13.85s) bronze.

The men's and women's 4x100m settled for bronze with the men -- Naim Jeffery Arif, Noor Imran Hadi Mohamad, Mohd Latiff Nyat and Mohd Zabidi Ghazali -- clocking 39.90s.

Thailand, shocked by Malaysia in the 4x400m, made no mistake this time as they clocked a new Games record of 38.95s for gold while Indonesia took silver with 39.79s.

The women's quartet of Noor Hazwanie Norizan, Mohamad Siti Fatimah, Azizah Ibrahim and Norjannah Hafizah Jalaluddin clocked 46.38s for bronze with the Thais (44.00s) and Vietnam (45.62s) taking gold and silver respectively.

Malaysia won another bronze through the men's long jump as Mohd Suhaimi Musa unexpectedly delivered with a leap of 7.48m.

Josbert Tinus, who some thought would win gold, failed to even land a podium finish as Filipino Henry Dagmil took gold with 7.87m and Thailand's Keeratikom Janmanee silver with 7.75m.

NST