Malaysia's
women kumite team of (from left) Syakilla Salni Jefry, A. Nisha, S.
Shree Sharmini won the gold medal after beating Indonesia 2-0 in the
final on Sunday. - Filepic
IT WAS seventh heaven for Malaysia in the karate competition.
And the seventh gold medal came after Malaysia exacted sweet revenge on Indonesia by winning 2-0 in the women’s kumite team final at the Wunna Theikdi Indoor Stadium on Sunday.
The trio of Sykilla Salni Jefry, A. Nisha and S. Shree Sharmini made sure Malaysia surpassed the Malaysian Karate-do Federation’s (Makaf) three-gold target with a superb performance.
In the final, Nisha was on the mat first and drew 0-0 against Sanistya Rani Cokistriagung.
Sahrmini then gave Malaysia the lead with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Intan Nurjanah.
It was then left to Sykilla, who won the women’s individual kumite 61kg gold on Saturday, to deliver the winning point and she duly complied – beating Indah Mogia Angkat 3-1.
Malaysia had earlier received a bye in the first round before defeating Vietnam 1-0 in the semi-finals.
Nisha and Sykilla drew 1-1 against Lang Thi Phan and Tran Hoang Yen respectively. Sharmini handed Malaysia the winning point with 5-2 win over Vu Thi Nguyet in the third tie.
The 21-year-old Sykilla and her team-mates were delighted to win the team gold medal – and exact revenge on Indonesia.
“We lost to Indonesia 2-1 in the team final in Jakarta two years ago, so I’m happy I delivered the winning point this time,” said Sykilla.
“I received a strong challenge from Indah but I was confident of beating her ... especially after I had won the individual kumite event a day earlier.
“This is the best moment of my career ... winning two golds. I only won one silver and one bronze in the team and individual kumite events in Jakarta.
“I’m happy to deliver the seventh gold for Malaysia in karate.”
The Malaysian men’s kumite team, however, failed to emulate their female counterparts after losing 3-1 to Thailand in the final.
R. Sharmendran lost 9-3 to Supa Neanpuenghit while Shaharudin Jamaludin was beaten 7-0 by Theerapat Kangtong.
Although G. Theebaan beat Pholwasin Saratham 2-1 in the third tie, Songvut Muntaen proved too good for J. Sharma, winning 9-1 to deliver the gold to Thailand.
Malaysia had earlier beaten the Philippines 3-0 in the quarter-finals and Indonesia 3-2 in the semi-finals.
The Malaysian exponents, however, can walk tall now after winning seven out of the 17 gold medals at stake in karate. The Malaysians also won three silvers and five bronzes.
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