PETALING JAYA: Karate exponent Lee Che Wei is out to prove that his bronze medal effort in the World Junior and Cadet Championships last month was not a flash in the pan.
The 21-year-old Chee Wei created history when he bagged the bronze in the Under-21 kata in Malacca – a first for Malaysia in the world junior meet.
Now, the Penangite is ready to help the team win the gold medal in the SEA Games. Although not listed for the men’s individual kata, which will be represented by seasoned campaigner Leong Tze Wai who won the Asian title in China recently, Chee Wei feels he and his team-mates have an important role to play.
Chee Wei will combine with Tze Wai and Kam Kah Sam for the men’s kata team while Thor Chee Yee, Celine Lee and Khaw Yee Voon will make up the women’s team. Chee Yee will also compete in the individual event.
“I was hoping to land a medal in the world junior championships and I did. I want to carry that form into the SEA Games and help the team win the gold medal,” he said.
Karate has a big following in Indonesia and given the nature of the kata events, which are highly subjective, the odds are stacked against the Malaysian team.
The karate competition starts in Jakarta on Saturday and the winners of the men’s and women’s individual kata will be known the same day.
“The build-up towards the Games has been very good.
“I won the gold medal in the Singapore Open in March and the bronze in Malacca.
“I am in good shape.
“I hope to put the icing on the cake by winning a gold medal in the team event in Jakarta,” said the Universiti Sains Malaysia undergraduate.
THE STAR
The 21-year-old Chee Wei created history when he bagged the bronze in the Under-21 kata in Malacca – a first for Malaysia in the world junior meet.
Now, the Penangite is ready to help the team win the gold medal in the SEA Games. Although not listed for the men’s individual kata, which will be represented by seasoned campaigner Leong Tze Wai who won the Asian title in China recently, Chee Wei feels he and his team-mates have an important role to play.
Chee Wei will combine with Tze Wai and Kam Kah Sam for the men’s kata team while Thor Chee Yee, Celine Lee and Khaw Yee Voon will make up the women’s team. Chee Yee will also compete in the individual event.
“I was hoping to land a medal in the world junior championships and I did. I want to carry that form into the SEA Games and help the team win the gold medal,” he said.
Karate has a big following in Indonesia and given the nature of the kata events, which are highly subjective, the odds are stacked against the Malaysian team.
The karate competition starts in Jakarta on Saturday and the winners of the men’s and women’s individual kata will be known the same day.
“The build-up towards the Games has been very good.
“I won the gold medal in the Singapore Open in March and the bronze in Malacca.
“I am in good shape.
“I hope to put the icing on the cake by winning a gold medal in the team event in Jakarta,” said the Universiti Sains Malaysia undergraduate.
THE STAR
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