WONG Weng Son came out tops in the “battle of best friends” to deliver one of the two golds for Negri Sembilan on the opening day of the Sukma wushu competition at the Universiti Malaysia Pahang Sports Complex in Gambang yesterday.

The 20-year-old beat his friend in the national team Ng Khang Ching of Kedah by the slimmest of margin in the men’s changquan event.

Weng Son scored 9.70 while Khang Ching settled for silver with 9.69.

Both exponents joined the national team in Bukit Jalil early this year and Weng Son was delighted to have won the changquan discipline for the first time in five Sukma appearances.

“I won in the jiangshu events before and I am happy to have performed well in changquan this time,” said Weng Son, who made his Sukma debut in Alor Setar in 2006.

“My coach (2001 SEA Games gold medallist Lim Kim) told me to relax and not to think of the pressure although I was facing my friend, who is of the same standard.

“He is my room-mate and we go out together after trainings for meals. I’m the one who drives him around.”

Weng Son is favoured to win his second gold in the jianshu discipline today.

The other gold medal yesterday was won by Indonesia SEA Games gold medallist Tai Cheau Xuen in the women’s nanquan event.

Cheau Xuen chalked up 9.62 points. The silver went to Negri’s Wong Yik Yan (9.50).

Seven more golds will be decided in wushu today.

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