ABOVE & BELOW: His Royal Highness Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah, the President of the Brunei Darussalam National Olympic Council with the winner of gold in the Combined Men’s Taijijian and Taijiquan event during the 32nd Southeast Asian Games; and Basma Lachkar at the podium. PHOTOS: SECRETARIAT
Brunei bagged its second gold medal at the 32nd Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia when national athlete Hosea Wong Zheng Yu struck gold in the combined men’s taijijian and taijiquan event at the Chroy Changvar Convention Centre in Phnom Penh, Cambodia yesterday. PHOTO: SECRETARIAT
Brunei Darussalam ushered a new sporting hero as national athlete Hosea Wong Zheng Yu struck gold in the combined men’s taijijian and taijiquan event during the 32nd Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) at the Chroy Changvar Convention Centre in Phnom Penh, Cambodia yesterday.
He joined an exclusive group of gold medallists the country has produced in the regional showpiece including his teammate Mohamad Adi Salihin bin Roslan.
The national sensation accumulated a total of 19.189 points, beating his Singapore’s rival Tay Yu Xuan who tallied 19.119 points and Malaysia’s opponent Tan Zhi Yan who rallied 18.94 points.
It is wushu’s best showing in a single SEA Games appearance following up the gold medal won by Mohamad Adi Salihin as well as two bronze.
Meanwhile, Basma Lachkar added a bronze to the country’s haul in the combined women’s taijiquan and taijijian event after recording a total of 19.16 points.
Basma had been in contention for the gold medal after scoring 9.61 points in the women’s taijiquan event.
Hosea Wong said, “Honestly I did not expect that I would get a medal. But to receive a gold medal is still unbelievable to me now.
“This made me feel it’s worth to go through all the harsh training I had in China to prepare for this SEA Games.
“In the last SEA Games in Vietnam, I didn’t get a good result that really affected my confidence.
“But thanks to this gold medal, I will continue to train hard and make Brunei proud.”
His compatriot Basma Lachkar said, “I am feeling blessed, and Alhamdulillah, I did my best till the end.”
She felt grateful for her results and thankful for the support and her teammates.
Meanwhile national coach Li Hui and coach Zhao Chunji were pleased with the performances of both wushu athletes. Li Hui said the athletes’ success is due to their determination in carrying out training as well as hard work from the coaching staff.
The head coach also insisted that they will not rest on their laurels as they target a better showing in the Asian Games.
The head coach thanked the Brunei Darussalam National Olympic Council (BDNOC) especially His Royal Highness Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah, the President of BDNOC as well as the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports and the Wushu Federation Brunei Darussalam.
He also conveyed his gratitude to the parents of athletes for their support.
