After grabbing a silver and six bronze medals in its maiden participation at the 3rd Indoor Asian Games in Vietnam, the Brunei contingent returned home to a hero's welcome yesterday.

Brunei's lone silver came from the Pencak Silat team of Norleyeharyanti Hj Raya , Nurul Aimi Amalina Zanidi and Norleyermah Hj Raya in the Pencak Silat Women's Regu event after losing to host Vietnam.

Norleyermah Hj Raya said, "we are proud to be able to grab silver for the nation. It's an honour."

"Actually, we have a feeling that we could overcome Vietnam in the event. However, the referee's decision was final."

On her preparation for the South East Asian Games in Laos, she said, "I will continue to train to improve. I will be heading to the SEA Games to participate in the Women's Tunggal event and I will try my best to win a medal for the country."

Meanwhile, the rest of her Pencak Silat teammates also did quite well in their respective events. The five bronze medals came from Hj Md Khairul Bahrin bin Hj Duraman in the men's tunggal, Pg Khairul Bahri bin Pg Ali Umar in the men's Class F 70-

75kg, Khuzaiman bin Ahmad in men's Class D 60-65kg, Freedy Ashrol Choo in men's class G 75-80kg, Siti Zuliza bte Omar in womens class C 55-60kg. One of the surprise packages that also did well was the Wushu team of Faustina Woo Wai Sii and Lee Ying Shi. The duo helped Brunei grab a bronze medal in the Women Duilian : Weapon vs Weapon event. It was the first time that the Brunei's Wushu team took a medal in a huge international competition.

Coach Li Hui of Wushu said "from the athletes, and my point of view, the medal has given us a much - needed encouragement. It's the first time we snatched a medal in a major tournament. I am proud of my athletes.

"We will train harder and improve in preparation for the SEA Games in Laos."

Dayang Mariam Ulat, the Chef De Mission of Brunei contingent, said. "it's a good result considering we only sent a small contingent to the competition.

" I can see that some of the local athletes have improved during the competition. I am also very proud of the Brunei's Wushu team. They did well beating Iran and India with the score of 9.40 in their event."

Present to welcome the Brunei contingent was Dato Paduka Hj Jemat bin Hj Ampal, the Permanent Secretary of Culture, Youth and Sports Ministry, with Hj Mohamad Bin Panglima Asgar Dato Paduka Hj Abdullah, the Director of Youth and Sports.

Courtesy from Borneo Bulletins