| James Kon |
WUSHU’S Duilian, in previous outings, has always been one of the favourite events for Brunei’s SEA Games contingent in their bid to strike for medals. However in this year’s edition of the SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur, the event will not be included.
To build on the strong squad that focuses on individual wushu events, Brunei Wushu team are currently training with top Chinese Wushu exponents in Hebei, China to better prepare for the regional competition.
The confirmed national Wushu squad heading to Malaysia in August are Md Sufi Shayiran bin Roslan, Mohammad Adi Salihin bin Roslan, Mohammad Adi Sya’rani bin Roslan, Ang Guat Lian and Basma Lachkar.
Md Sufi Shayiran and Mohammad Adi Salihin will be competing in Nanquan, Nandao and Nangun events, while Mohammad Adi Sya’rani will compete in Changquan, Daoshu and Gunshu categories and female wushu athletes of Ang Guat Lian and Basma Lachkar will take part in Taijiquan and Taijijian.
Led by Coach Lihui, the team have been training in China since June 21, and he has noticed the increase of calibre in every athlete.
“We have been in China for some 40 days and during the training, I have already noticed that their tactics and jumps have improved,” the Chinese coach said in an interview. Training in Hebei has been good after training with China’s world champion and China national champion.
“Each athlete has to undergo three sessions of training every morning from 9-11.30am, and afternoon is from 3-6pm and from 7.30-9pm at night. This is because athletes didn’t attend much training during the fasting month and the training in China also serves to raise their stamina.”
In the 2015 Singapore SEA Games, Brunei Wushu team won two bronze medals from Duilian events while Brunei Wushu athletes went home empty handed from individual wushu events in the previous SEA Games.
Coach Lihui hoped the 2017 Kuala Lumpur SEA Games will be the start for Brunei athletes to make history in individual wushu events.
He also thanked the Government of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam as well as the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports and Brunei Darussalam National Olympic Council for the support.
The post No Duilian this year, athletes turn focus to individual Wushu appeared first on Borneo Bulletin Online.