Twenty-year-old Haris Adli
Peranchis competing in the
Southern Fist (Nanquan) event.
Eventhough he failed to land a
medal, Haris was proud to have
represented the Sultanate.
Picture: Infofoto

Abdul Rahim Johari and Haris Adli Peranchis will be leaving the Malaysia Games (Sukma) in Melaka with their heads high.

Despite the wushu exponents failing to win any medals, the duo were proud to have represented Brunei in the Southern Staff (Nangun) category of the 13th edition of the tournament.

"Wushu is a new kind of sport in Brunei, but it's getting more and more attention," Haris told Malaysian news agency Bernama at the Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (Utem) Sports Complex during the competition's end yesterday.

"We also have many new talents," added the 20-year-old.

The first time Brunei has been represented in the sport, 15-year-old Abdul Rahim admitted his enthusiasm for wushu is increasing.

"My passion (for the sport) grows because I like watching kungfu movies," said Abdul Rahim, who was introduced to the sport two years ago in school.

Haris competed in the Southern Fist (Nanquan) event while Abdul Rahim saw action in the Southern Staff (Nangun).

Injuries to Faustina Woo Wai Sii and Lee Ying Shi prevented last year's Southeast Asian (SEA) Games silver medallist from competing in Melaka. The duo also won bronze in the women's single weapon vs weapon during last year's 3rd Indoor Asian Games in Vietnam.

Earlier yesterday, Negeri Sembilan athlete Phoon E Yin bagged the gold medal in the women's Spear (Qiangshu) category, while Penang's Fong Chui Then had to settle for silver and Sarawak's Bong Yie Ching, bronze.

In the men's Qiangshu category, Gjeblehim Bong of Sarawak won the gold medal by defeating his strongest opponent, Wong Wen Son, of Negeri Sembilan, who had to settle for silver.

Negeri Sembilan also bagged the bronze in the category through Wong Kin Hon.

Melaka athlete Chai Fong Chin excelled in the women's Nangun category by scoring 9.45 points to win the gold medal. Lee Yean Chin, of Kedah, took the silver and See Min of Federal Territories, bronze.

In the men's Nangun category, Kevan Cheah bagged the gold for Penang, while Ho Mun Hua, of Melaka, won the silver. Donny Tay of Sarawak took the bronze.

One of the 15 participating states, Brunei will be competing in 13 events at the Games - athletics, aquatics, badminton, bowling, cycling, fencing, karate, petanque, sepak takraw, silat, squash, tennis and wushu.

Yet to get on the medal board, Brunei has sent a contingent of 67 athletes,16 coaches, five managers, 14 officials and two technical officers.

Melaka currently lead the tournament with 12 gold, seven silver and five bronze medals.

Courtesy from Brunei Times