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Tuesday December 25, 2007

KL bag Best State Training Centre award

By NG WEI LOON

IT TOOK less than a year for the Federal Territory state fencing training centre to attain due recognition for producing potential young fencers.

Following their good showing at the three-leg National Junior Fencing Circuit, the centre set up under the National Sports Council (NSC) development programme early this year bagged the Best State Training Centre award.

Breakthrough: Zariff emerged as a runner-up in the boys' Under-15 foil to capture his first medal in the national junior circuit.
They accomplished the feat by finishing ahead of five other similar establishments based in Penang, Perak, Selangor, Malacca and Sabah at the three-day final circuit that concluded in Klang last month. .

The centre's chief coach, C.W. Mok, said their charges had shown good progress, especially with two fencers – Muhammad Zariff Mohd Zaini, and Manjoo Maithili, both 14 – making a breakthrough.

“The reward was beyond our expectations. But, the fencers had put up impressive performances over the three circuits and we received the award based on our overall results in the series,” he added.

After failing to clear the quarter-finals hurdle in the past two years competing in the national junior circuit, Zariff finished as runner-up in the boys' Under-15 foil.

“My immediate aim is to win a gold medal next year,” said Zariff.

Manjoo also finished on the podium for the first time.

The SMK Taman SEA Form Two student was one of the losing semi-finalists to claim the bronze medal in the girls' Under-15 epee.

“After taking up the art this year, I took part in the foil competition in the first circuit and only switched to epee in the second circuit. I am happy that I am making steady improvement and winning my first medal in such a short period,” she said.

A total of 18 youngsters aged between 12 and 17 years old are involved in the programme at the training venues in Bukit Kiara and Taman Tun Dr Ismail.

Rewarding switch: Manjoo winning a bronze medal in the girls' Under-15 epee.
“Usually, they are required to train two times a week under the programme. However, we will conduct extra classes for them to prepare them for competitions,” said Mok.

Other fencers who contributed to the centre's medal tally in the final circuit included up-and-coming talent Athia Hakimah Haron, Dhania Erma Haron (girls' Under-17 and Under-19 epee bronze medals) and Wong Sy Ying (girls' Under-15 foil silver, girls' Under-17 foil bronze and girls' Under-19 foil bronze).

Athia was the toast of the side and showed plenty of character to challenge for honours in three different categories – Under-15, Under-17 and Under-19 – of the girls' foil competitions.

“It was demanding because I had to feature in the three age-groups. I am happy that I have maintained the top position in the Under-15 category over the three circuits. The Under-19 section was the toughest because of the stronger field comprising older competitors,” said Athia, who has been training under the tutelage of former national men’s foil fencer Mohd Zainal Abidin for the past two years.

In the first circuit, the 14-year-old SMK Damansara Utama lass began her campaign winning a gold (Under-15), silver (Under-17) and bronze (Under-19) before she swept all three gold medals in the following leg.

Dazzling feat: The Federal Territory state fencing training centre bagging the Best State Training Centre award.
For the final circuit, she clinched two gold medals (Under-15 and Under-17) and one silver (Under-19).

Zainal said Athia felt the fatigue in the girls' Under-19 final against Sarah Najihah of Selangor.

“She defeated Sarah during the preliminary pool competition. We knew that she was physically drained and did not pressure her to keep up with the pace in the final. Now, we are preparing her for next year's Malaysia Games (Sukma),” added Zainal.

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