Kuching - Sarawak is banking on experienced Wushu exponents including three from the national squad to spearhead its challenge for the coming competitions in 19th Malaysia Games (Sukma XIX) to be held at Kolej Matrikulasi Perak, Gopeng from September 11 to 13.
Among those who will be competing are Clement Ting Su Wei (changquan, daoshu, gunshu), Audrey Chan Yee Jo (taijiquan, taijijian) and Lee Hui Xian (nanquan, nangun, nandao) who will be joined by gold medalists of the previous Sukma XVIII Assri Abdul Rahman (taijiquan), Elvic Bong Qian Zheng and Stephanie Ngu Chai Ern.
Sarawak will be sending a total 13 exponents to Sukma XIX in Perak where 10 of them are for the taolu (optional routine) competition while the other three are new faces who are taking part in sanda (free sparring) competition.
Those entered for taolu events are national athletes Clement Ting, Audrey Chan and Lee Hui Xian, Assri Abdul Wahab, Elvic Bong, Clement Thian Fung Seng, Chiew Sow Hong (captain), Fu Sian Wei, Yong Arifah Khairul Kok and Stephanie Ngu.
The sanda athletes are Daniel Manggin, Chua Teck Kai and Kelvin Kong Qi Fatt.
According to Sarawak's assistant chef-de-mission (ACDM) for wushu, Allen Wong Siew Poh among the top contenders in Sukma XIX Perak are Malacca and Negri Sembilan because they have the most number of athletes in the national team.
Wong who is also president of Wushu Federation of Sarawak (WFS), said all the athletes have improved much after the consistent training and stints held in China on October last year and from July 25 to Aug 25 this year.
The team manager for Sarawak Sukma XIX taolu team is WFS secretary, Lucas Lim Tee Kiat while Jame Ting will manage the sanda team which is coached by Lyde Lait.
