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Saturday November 21, 2009

Jin Keat’s absence heaps pressure on Chee Sheng

By LOGANATH VELLOO

GEORGE TOWN: Karate exponent Tan Chee Sheng admits he has big shoes to fill when he makes his debut in the men’s individual kata event at the Laos SEA Games next month.

The 22-year-old will be replacing the injured three-time SEA Games individual gold medallist Ku Jin Keat, who had represented Malaysia in the event since the Brunei Games in 1999.

Jin Keat, who won gold in the 2001, 2005 and 2007 editions, has yet to recover fully from a knee operation early this year.

And Chee Sheng has vowed to maintain Malaysia’s dominance in the event in Vientiane.

All for one: Tan Chee Sheng (centre) practising with men’s kata members Kam Kah Sam (left) and Medal haul at 2007 Korat Games: 8-3-5 Ricky Leong

“It is not easy to step into the void left by a proven champion like Jin Keat. The spotlight will be on me, but I am ready to take on the responsibility to maintain Malaysia’s good track record in the event,” said Chee Sheng.

Although he was only promoted to the national senior squad in 2005, the reigning Malaysia Games (Sukma) champion has been an able replacement for fellow Penangite Jin Keat.

Chee Sheng bagged the KOI World Cup gold medal in Italy last year and was one of only two Malaysian silver medallists in last month’s Asian Championships in Foshan, China.

He will also compete in the men’s kata team event alongside Games rookies Kam Kah Sam and Ricky Leong.

“Although this is my third SEA Games appearance, I will be playing the role of the senior in the men’s kata team for the first time.

“It is always a challenge when there is a new member in the team as we need to re-learn all the steps. With two new members in the squad, we had to work doubly hard to prepare for the Games. But that does not mean we will be pushovers in Laos,” said Chee Sheng.

There is also a new member in the women’s kata team as Chong Chew Teng is a late replacement for Tan Shi Ying, who herself took the spot vacated by the injured Chin Fang Ying.

Chew Teng will team up with Thoe Ai Poh and the evergreen Lim Lee Lee, who will also be seeking a fourth gold medal in the women’s individual kata.

Jin Keat will not be the only experienced karate exponent missing the action in Laos. Lim Yoke Wai, who contributed two individual kumite gold medals in Korat two years ago, is also out injured.

Yoke Wai’s absence, added with the omission of the Open categories and new rules restricting each nation from taking part in just five of the seven men’s and four of the six women’s kumite categories, has dented Malaysia’s hopes of matching the eight-gold haul in Korat.

Said national kumite coach P. Arivalagan: “The new rules and Yoke Wai’s injury have made it difficult for Malaysia to repeat our feat in Korat.

“But I understand the rationale behind the decision to limit each country’s participation in karate. It is bad for the regional development of the sport if only one or two countries dominate all the events contested at every Games.”

Despite the restrictions, he believes that Malaysia are capable of producing another strong show in Vientiane.

“I feel that we can put up a strong challenge to dominate in both kata and kumite. I think winning five gold medals is a reasonable target for the squad.”

KARATE

Competition dates: Dec 10-12

Venue: Chao Anouvong

Gymnasium, Budo Centre

Medals at stake: 17-17-17

Events

Kata (non-combat): Men’s and women’s individual and team.

Kumite (combat):

Men’s below 55kg, below 60kg, below 65kg, below 70kg, below 75kg, below 80kg, 80kg and above, team; women’s below 48kg, below 53kg, below 60kg, 60kg and above, team.

TEAM MALAYSIA

MEN

Kata: Tan Chee Sheng (individual and team), Kam Kah Sam (team), Ricky Leong (team).

Kumite: R. Puvaneswaran (below 55kg), L. Kunasilan (below 60kg), Shaharudin Jamaludin (below 75kg), Mohamad Hatta (80kg and above), Loganeesha Rao (team), K. Taegarajan (team), G. Nagatheeban (team), P. Pavitern (team).

WOMEN

Kata: Lim Lee Lee (individual and team), Thoe Ai Poh (team), Chong Chew Teng (team). Kumite: G. Vathana (below 53kg), G. Yamini (below 60kg), Jamaliah Jamaludin (60kg and above), Vasantha Marial (team), G. Yugneswary (team).

Coaches: Lim Chee Jin (kata), P. Arivalagan (kumite).

Manager: Lau Puan Long.

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