Gold medallists from the Asian Junior Wushu Championships in Manila: (from left) Loh Ying Ting, Tan Cheong Min, Tammy Tan Hui Ling and Ooi Say Onn. - Bernama Photo
PETALING JAYA: It’s never easy beating an exponent to the gold medal in wushu. But that was exactly what 17-year-old Ooi Say Onn did at the Asian Junior Wushu Championships, which ended in Manila on Monday.
The lanky Say Onn stunned favourite Zhao Kunrun of China to emerge victorious in Group A (aged 16-18) of the men’s taijiquan.
Even the Form Five student of SMK Chan Wa in Seremban was surprised with his achievement.
But the golden effort has given him a strong chance to compete in the World Wushu Championships, wil be held in Kuala Lumpur from Nov 1-5.
“I’m really surprised to have won because China are always very strong contenders in wushu ... it’s never easy beating them,” said Say Onn, who was representing the country for the first time.
“I guess I was just lucky because Kunrun made a crucial mistake which cost him the gold medal.
“I’m really happy with the win because this is the first time I’ve represented the country ... and also because it’s my best result so far,” added Say Onn, who also picked up a bronze in taijijian.
The bespectacled Say Onn, however, is not thinking too far ahead and is prepared to work hard to remain in the national team.
“I went to the Asian Juniors without too much expectations because my coach didn’t want me to become distracted,” said Say Onn.
“It was good advice. Although there are two more events coming up – the World Championships and SEA Games – this year, I don’t want to get ahead of myself.
“For now, I’ll just continue training hard and focus on my Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examiniation first. If they call me up, then I’ll be happy to oblige.”
Besides Say Onn, Malacca’s Loh Ying Ting also came home with a gold – winning the women’s Group A daoshu event.
Two others – Tan Cheong Min (Group B) and Tammy Tan Hui Ling (Group C) – also picked up gold medals in the women’s nandao and qiangshu respectively.
Team manager Ho Ro Bin, who was a two-time world champion in 1995 and 2005, said that although the juniors had shown their potential, “they are not be ready for this year’s world meet”.
“It was a good experience for the juniors. But we have not decided or finalised the exponents for the world meet and the SEA Games,” he said.
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