09 June 2004

Silat exponents glitter with four golds in UK

KUALA LUMPUR, June 29 (Bernama) -- Five national silat exponents did the country proud with glittering performances, winning four golds and a silver at the European Invitational in the United Kingdom which ended on June 13.

The team comprising Mohd Azrin Abdul Malik, Ahmad Sharil Zainudin, Mohd Zubir Osman and Emy Latip performed beyond expectations to surpass the three- gold target set for the meet.

If not for an ankle injury suffered by Sarah Iskhak during her semi-final bout, the Malaysian team may have returned with five gold medals.

Sarah who won her semi-final bout despite her injury, had to settle for the silver.

The Malaysian Silat Association (PSKM) honorary secretary Megat Zulkarnain Omar Din said the five exponents put up a tremendous performance although they were up against strong challengers from Indonesia, Holland and Singapore.

"We are certainly proud of their achievement as the tournament was part of their preparations for the December World Silat Championships in Singapore," he said.

Megat said the determination and fighting spirit, displayed by Sarah despite suffering the injury is highly commendable.

He added the Malaysian squad for the biennial World Championships in Singapore starting on Dec 14, would be made up of 35 exponents, 26 men and nine women.

According to him, PSKM have yet to set any targets as it is still early.

The PSKM will continue to sent their exponents for competitions abroad before gathering them for the intensive centralised training in Bukit Jalil starting September.

During the last World Championships held in Penang, Malaysia won three golds through Ahmad Faizal Omar, Ariff Khamis and Ahmad Shahril.

Sourced from http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-21805203_ITM

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