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KUALA LUMPUR – For many athletes, competing in the SEA Games or regional games will normally mark their emergence on the international stage. For world wushu champion Tan Cheong Min, the opposite has happened.
The 24-year-old has already won a world title and participated in the 2018 Asian Games held in Jakarta-Palembang, but has yet to compete in the SEA Games, as the sport was not included in the 2019 SEA Games hosted by the Philippines and the 2012 SEA Games hosted by Vietnam.
The 2019/2020 National Sportswoman award winner, thus, could not contain her excitement about participating in her first SEA Games in Cambodia, scheduled from May 5 to 17.
Cheong Min, who became the first ever wushu exponent to be crowned as a national sportswoman, will see action in Nanquan/Nangun and Nandao individual events and Duilian (team) event when competing in Cambodia.
“Finally, I can represent the country in the SEA Games and complete my participation in all levels.
“Like every athlete, the aim is to fight for gold, but more importantly, I want to display a fine performance to avoid point deductions or mistakes.
“Certainly, the competition will be tough, especially with regard to exponents from Indonesia, Vietnam and Myanmar…but what is important is (for us) to overcome our own weaknesses.
“We can have the best skills, but if we lack mental strength during competition, it will be a waste,” she said.
Cheong Min put up a brilliant performance at the 2019 World Wushu Championships held in Shanghai, China and came home with a gold from the Nandao event as well as a silver from the Nanquan and Duilian events together with Phoon Eyin and Loh Ying Ting.
The world champion said in Cambodia, the Nandao and Nangun events have been combined, and will subsequently offer only one gold medal.
The national wushu squad are expected to undergo a month-long training stint in China to prepare for the SEA Games and the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games, which was postponed by a year and would now be held from Sept 23 to October 8.
“Preparations are currently 80% ready, so maybe after the training in China, the team will be 100% ready for the SEA Games.
“The SEA Games will become the tune up for the Asian Games,” she said. – Bernama, March 14, 2023