Led by Khoo Bu Leong, president of the Perak Taekwondo Association, 30 participants from Malaysia competed in the Korea Open International Festival and Asian Taekwondo Championship 2017 held at Incheon, Korea from August 3 to 5.
The Malaysia team was made up of participants from Perak, Johor, Kuala Lumpur and Pulau Pinang.
The team won a total of 11 gold, 20 silver and 17 bronze medals, out of which 8 gold, 11 silver and 14 bronze medals were won by the Perak team.
According to Khoo, this is the second time Malaysia took part in the Asia Taekwondo Championship. For most this was their first oversea assignment.
Tan Li Ting bagged a gold medal in the adult female third-dan-pattern category. Meanwhile, Lim Pui Yee won a gold medal in adult female first-dan-pattern. Eleven-year-old Loh Ying Shan, the youngest, won two medals in both pattern and sparring events.
There were 550 participants from 16 countries. The opening ceremony was graced by grandmaster Choi Jung Hwa, son of International Taekwondo Federation founder. Grandmaster Sabree, founder of Malaysian Global Taekwondo Federation and grandmaster Amir, the current president of Malaysian Global Taekwondo Federation were present to support the team during the championship.
Wong Kok Hoe, one of the team leaders, vowed to return stronger and bring the country’s name to greater heights.
Mei Kuan
