KUCHING: Coaches and team managers of the Sarawak Taekwondo team expressed immense satisfaction with the exceptional performance of their athletes during the four-day event at the 21st Malaysia Games (Sukma XXI).
The team’s achievements have surpassed all expectations, marking a significant milestone in the history of Sarawak taekwondo.
Reza Rizvy, one of the team managers, highlighted the team’s outstanding accomplishment, noting that they secured 11 gold medals, far exceeding their initial target of eight.
“This is by far the taekwondo team’s greatest achievement at this prestigious national sports event,” Reza said.
He stressed that the success was a collective effort, crediting the athletes, coaches, and managers for their relentless dedication and hard work.
“Our team never stopped training, especially when it came to refining their skills, and this will continue even after Sukma ends,” he added.
Reza acknowledged that the team’s triumphs stemmed from years of commitment and perseverance.
“The coaches have been with us for a very long time, and some of the athletes have been training with us since they were very young. I am extremely proud of the gold medals we’ve earned, and our athletes have great potential to go far,” he remarked.
Speaking after the final day of the taekwondo event at Stadium Perpaduan on Tuesday (Aug 20), Reza also reflected on the nature of competition.
“Every competition has winners and losers. It’s important to accept that fact and to give your best effort.
This Sukma XXI has set a high standard for the Sarawak taekwondo team in future competitions.”
Reza expressed deep gratitude to Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Deputy Minister Datuk Gerald Rentap Jabu, and World Taekwondo Federation Malaysia (WTF) president Azizul Annuar Adenan for their unwavering support over the years.
“Taekwondo Sarawak has become what it is today due to the programmes and support they have provided,” he said.
Head coach Master Taweeslip Khamnuan also shared his hopes for future success, particularly in the Kyorugi category.
“We initially targeted six medals but managed to secure four. In the next Sukma, we aim to achieve our initial target and even surpass it,” he added.
The remarkable performance of the Sarawak taekwondo team at Sukma XXI has set the stage for continued excellence in the sport, with eyes now firmly set on future competitions.
