Taekwondo exponent Cynthia Christine Chin Yee Ysien (L) in action during the women's bantam weight (49-53kg) category at SUKMA yesterday. Infofoto
Brunei ended their campaign at the Malaysia Games (SUKMA) with only one gold medal after the last three taekwando athletes who saw action yesterday failed to finish on the podium.
Md Raidin Al-Has Md Rommy was the best performer for the Sultanate at Kolej Matrikulasi Perlis in Arau yesterday after progressing to the quarter-finals of the men's heavy weight (over 87kg) category. He edged Tan Boon Kian of Pahang 4-1 in the first round but was stopped in his tracks 14-4 by Tey Yen Khai of Federal Territories in the last-eight.
In the men's bantam weight (58-63kg) category, Alif Johari @ Yahya was thrashed 27-3 by eventual champion James Tee Chow Sheng of the Federal Territories in the opening round. Cynthia Christine Chin Yee Ysien was also dropped in the first round after losing 9-3 to Mas Haziwah Saifuddin of Negeri Sembilan in the women's bantam weight (49-53kg) category.
Despite all the setbacks, the Sultanate has improved on its medal haul from the last participation at the Under-21 multi-sport competition. The 2012 team finished last and were the only ones without a gold or silver after returning home with four bronze medals in Pahang - three of them shared.
This year Brunei, who sent a 25-member contingent to compete in five sports - pencak silat, taekwando, karate, futsal and sepak takraw, once again end at the bottom of the table. Karateka Md Izzuddin Irfan Md Faizal delivered the country's only medal after he finished at the top of the podium at the Kolej Matrikulasi Perlis on Wednesday.
The 19-year-old surprised everyone after beating Johor's Julius Goh 9-2 in the final of the 84kg and above category. Federal Territories head into the penultimate day at the top of the standings.
Though the Federal Territories contingent added just one gold medal yesterday, the 48 gold, 33 silver and 44 bronze medal accumulated was way ahead of second placed Terengganu - who have 41 gold, 45 silver and 24 bronze medals.
While defending overall champion Terengganu are in second place, former overall champions, Sarawak are in third place with 36 gold, 26 silver and 30 bronze medals.
Yesterday's 10th day action also saw one SUKMA record shattered in the archery arena when the Sabah team shot down 224 points in the Olympic round (Compound) to erase the old mark of 215 set by Sarawak in the 2012 Pahang SUKMA.
A total of 59 gold medals will be on offer today as teams continue their search for gold medals. Most of the sports will draw down their curtains as SUKMA comes to a close tomorrow.
