Brunei's representatives at the
2nd Asian Youth Games, Nanjing,
China, during the flag handing
over ceremony yesterday at the
Hassanal Bolkiah National
Stadium in Berakas. Picture:
BT/ Md Asdeny Yakub
Five young athletes will be looking to gain some invaluable experience at next week's 2nd Asian Youth Games in Nanjing, China.
Brunei will only be competing in two sports at the August 16-24 event; fencing and golf.
Representing Brunei in golf is Mohd Qazzri Fakhri Hj Aslimon while Md Hazeeq Asmui'e Md Fadzilah, Muhd Aizuddin Yaqin Hj Yahya, Mohd Haziq Asahrin and Muhd Anaqi Danish Asahrin will compete in fencing.
"This will be our first time competing abroad so it will be a very good experience for all of us as we will go up against the best athletes in the continent," said Md Hazeeq Asmui'e, speaking on behalf of the team.
"We've trained very hard for this tournament and are looking forward to competing and giving our best in all events.
"Our coach (national coach Rocky Poerawinata) said that the tournament will give us the exposure and experience we need as we are prepare for the Southeast (SEA) Asian Games in 2019," added the 16-year-old student from Sultan Omar 'Ali Saifuddien (SOAS) College.
The fencers have been training six times a week every week since last year, with their training involving a mix of sparing, physical and mental training.
Md Hazeeq Asmui'e and Muhd Aizuddin Yaqin will be taking part in the foil individual discipline while Mohd Haziq and Muhd Anaqi Danish will be competing in the sabre individual discipline.
Meanwhile, Mohd Qazzri Fakhri aims to better his personal record at the Games, where the 17-year-old will take part in the Under-17 category.
"I am still young and of course my aim in this tournament is to learn and gain experience but I would also like to better my personal best record of 69," said Mohd Qazzri.
"I went to the tournament's venue, the Zhongshan Golf Course in Nanjing last month to train and played a practice round. It was a great experience.
"My coach, Hazel Tan, has been very helpful in helping me prepare for the tournament. I will do my best in China and hopefully I will be able to perform well," he added.
The qualification rounds will take place from August 18-19 and the final will be held on August 20.
Qazzri as opposed to the fencers is a relatively experienced national athlete.
Qazzri was among the 10 golfers who teed-off for Brunei at June's 53rd South East Asian Amateur Team Golf Championship in the Philippines and was also one of the three golfers who flew the flag for Brunei at last year's World Junior Golf Championship in Jakarta.
He also represented Brunei at the 2011 Arafura Games in Darwin, Australia along with two-time defending Baiduri Masters champion Khairul Kamis.
Qazzri's recent achievements include finishing second in the February's National Day Cup amateur division with a score of 13-over par 229.
Qazzri also won the Under-18 (Junior) category during the10th Charity Golf Championship Challenge Trophy for the Duli Yang Teramat Mulia Paduka Seri Pengiran Muda Mahkota Charity Golf Tournament in 2011.
A total of 16 sports will be contested in Nanjing athletics, badminton, basketball, diving, fencing, football, golf, handball, judo, rugby, shooting, squash, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo and weightlifting.
The Asian Youth Games is the second multi-event sport the country is competing in this year after the 4th Asian Indoor & Martial Arts Games which ran from June 29-July 6 in Incheon, South Korea.
