Brunei Darussalam’s Tanding and Artistic coach Hassan Haji Tuah. – KHAIRIL HASSAN
BRUNEI Darussalam’s pencak silat Tanding and Artistic coach Hassan Haji Tuah emphasised that the national athletes provided good competition to a high-level playing field during the Road to Asian Games in Padepokan, Jakarta recently.
Brunei’s Norleyermah binti Haji Raya won silver in the Women’s Artistic event while compatriot Zainorarif Zaini bagged bronze in the Men’s Class ‘D’ Tanding event.
“Our athletes gave stern competition against other opponents who boast greater experience. We are grateful with the achievements of our athletes even though we only sent three athletes where two of them won medals,” said Hassan in an interview with the media recently.
“Hopefully this achievement will help lift their spirits towards undergoing intensive training until the Asian Games in August later this year,” he said.
Elaborating on the performance of another representative Elmi bin Zaini, who competed in the Class ‘B’ Tanding event, Hassan said it was an equally contested fight though his opponent had more experience and also emerged victorious at the SEA Games.
He said that some countries sent a full squad during the test event, while 40 per cent of Indonesian athletes comprised individuals who can be absorbed into the national team.
“They (Indonesia) have identified their athletes in this Road to Asian Games and also emerged as overall winners in the competition,” said the coach.
The coach was also impressed with the standard of the venue and lauded the use of digital technology.
Hassan hoped the athletes will continue their training to prepare for challenges in the Asian Games.
“We already see our weaknesses and the weaknesses from other opponents and as a coach I will help enhance the quality of their play,” he further added.
He acknowledged the marked increase in performance given the high level of the competition against greater competitors from 10 countries including Japan, India and Kyrgyzstan.
“Our athletes were calm in facing their opponents even though they were from strong countries such as Malaysia and Indonesia,” he said.
