The Star on the 29th National Senior Karate Championships

The Star 18 August 2009

Vasantha downs Maalini to earn shot at third Asian title

By LIM TEIK HUAT

PETALING JAYA: Karate mum Vasantha Marial has won a place in the Malaysian squad for the Asian Championships in China next month after a successful campaign in the national championships held over the last weekend.

In the competition in Ayer Keroh, the mother of a six-month-old girl regained the kumite below 50kg title by beating fellow Hayashi Ha exponent C. Maalini 4-1 in the final.

The victory over the younger Maalini, who is the Asian junior champion, was satisfying indeed for Vasantha, who only resumed training four months ago. Vasantha got married in March last year and stopped training after she got pregnant.

The 30-year-old exponent is now looking forward to making a strong bid to win a third successive gold in the Asian championships.

She made a successful comeback from knee surgery to win the title in 2005 and retained it two years later.

“I am happy to earn another shot at winning the Asian championship below 50kg kumite title,” said Vasantha, who missed last year’s national cham­­­pionships because of the pregnancy.

“By winning my seventh national title, I have proved that I can still contribute to the squad. This was only my second competition after the KOI World Cup in Kuching last month (where she won silver). I’m more satisfied as I think I fought better in the national championships.”

Elsewhere, there were no surprises with the elite national fighters dominating in their respective weight categories.

Hayashi Ha finished top in the overall standings with a medal haul of 9-1-6 while Penang’s Goshin Ryu rode on the strength of their national kata exponents for second place on 4-1-0.

RESULTS

■ MEN’S KATA

Individual: 1. Tan Chee Sheng (Goshin Ryu), 2. Lim Chee Wei (Pen), 3. Khor Kah Tong (Pen); Emmanuel Leong (Prk).

Team: 1. Goshin-Ryu, 2. Penang, 3. Sabah; Police.

■ MEN’S KUMITE

Below 55kg: 1. K. Kannan (Hayashi Ha), 2. G. Rajendrakumar (Hayashi Ha), 3. Loganeshaa Rao (Sel); Wong Yoon Chin (Joh).

Below 60g: 1. Chan Keng Ann (Joh), 2. Mahfudz Azeem (Sab), 3. L. Kunasilan (Prk); Mohd Suffree (Kel).

Below 67kg: 1. Lim Yoke Wai (Joh), 2. Mohd Red­zuan, 3. Shaharudin Jamaludin (Hayashi Ha); Uriel Franch (Joh).

Below 75kg: 1. G. Nagatheeban (Hayashi Ha), 2. Dann­y Fredoline (Sab), 3. K. Tegaran (Hayashi Ha); Harry Lukas (Pol).

Below 84kg: 1. Mohd Hatta (Prk), 2. K. Logendran (Joh), 3. P. Gunasegar (Prk); K. Jayaseelan (Hayashi Ha).

Above 84kg: 1. The Chin Keong (Pen), 2. Lok Chee Meng (Shorin Ryu), 3. S. Inthiran (Kul); S. Mano (Sel).

Open: 1. L. Kunaseelan (Prk), 2. Chen Wei Han (Pen), 3. The Chin Keong (Pen); Shaharudin Jamaludin (Hayashi Ha).

Team: 1. Johor, 2. Hayashi Ha, 3. Sabah; Selangor.

■ WOMEN’S KATA

Individual: 1. Lim Lee Lee (Goshin Ryu), 2. Thoe Ai Poh (Goshin Ryu), 3. Chong Chew Teng (Pen); Quah Beng Huai (Pen).

Team: 1. Goshin Ryu, 2. Penang.

■ WOMEN’S KUMITE

Below 45kg: 1. Eleena Anis (Hayashi Ha), 2. A. Nisha (Hayashi Ha), 3. G. Yugneswary (Hayashi Ha); Jalma Annas (Mal).

Below 50kg: 1. Vasantha Marial (Hayashi Ha), 2. C. Maalini (Hayashi Ha), 3. Darnizan (Kel); V. Renugha (Sel).

Below 55kg: 1. G. Vathana (Hayashi Ha), 2. M. Yokananthini (Hayashi Ha) 3. Anitha (Sel); Tong Yan Ting (Mal).

Below 61kg: 1. G. Yamini (Hayashi Ha), 2. K. Jayanthi (Hayashi Ha), 3. Rina Murniza (Pol); Zuraini Omar (Pol).

Below 68kg: 1. Jamaliah Jamaludin (Hayashi Ha), 2. Om Thilagavathy (Sel), 3. Lisani Adzahari (Sab); N. Shanti (Hayashi Ha).

Above 68kg: 1. Looi Lai Yan (Hayashi Ha), 2. Lee Chong Hong (Pen), 3. Rozira (Mal); Ong Gui Ying (Mal).

Open: 1. A. Nisha (Hayashi Ha), 2. G. Yugneswary (Hayashi Ha), 3. Eleena Anis (Pen); Zuraini (Pol).

Team: 1. Hayashi Ha, 2. Police, 3. Malacca; Selangor.

Resumption of training at ILP

We have resumed our training at ILP, Permyjaya.

29th National Senior Karate Championships

Ayer Keroh, Melaka

13th to 16th August 2009

We sent a squad comprising 6 athletes and 3 officials to this championship.

Many of the competitors were from the national and national backup squads.

We participated in both kata and kumite events winning 2 Bronze in the following evemts.

1. Individual Kumite, Female -50kg, Darnizan bte Darmanto

2. Individual Kumite, Male -60kg, Mohd. Suffree bin Mohd. Ali

Overall, our participation in this championship and the last Junior championship have been a good experience and provided valuable exposure to the athletes, the majority of whom are the SUKMA shadow team in contention for places in the Karate team for the SUKMA 2010.

We hope to send our athletes for more competitions in the lead up towards SUKMA for further exposure as well as to build up the next generation of athletes in the younger age groups.

GO! GO! GOSHIN!

Trickling into Melaka

After a long day including a 2-hour delay at the airport this morning for the first group, we are starting to trickle into Melaka.

The first group has arrived and checked into the hotel with team 2 on their way.

Team 3 will arrive tomorrow night.

Whew!

Team 1 is hungry and hopefully team 2 will arrive soon for communal dinner. Now to rest and do light training tomorrow and maybe get in some sight-seeing.

No training 12 to 16 August

Due to the upcoming National Seniors Karate Championships, there will be no training from 12th to 16th August.

We resume on 17th August with Adults session at ILP.

Please take note!

SUKMA Atheletes' Profile by Eastern Times 1

This is part of a series of profiles of Sarawak's SUKMA atheletes produced by Eastern Times as a lead up to the SUKMA 2010. We will feature the association's representatives as they become available.

Al-Hasbi Al-Harir

Event: Kata (Individual)

ILP temporary closure (Update 1)

The quarantine period for ILP has been extended by the authorities till 10th August.

Training until then will continue to be held at KRP, Lutong.