BY Fadhil Yunus
Brunei Darussalam made a strong start at the 31st Southeast Asian (SEA) Games after the national pencak silat team secured silver and bronze medals at the Bac Tu Liem Sporting Hall in Hanoi, Vietnam on Wednesday.
The trio of Anisah Najihah binti Abdullah, Norleyermah binti Haji Raya and Nur Wasiqah Aziemah binti Rosihan bagged the silver medal in the women’s artistic team event while Muhd Ali Saifullah bin Abdullah Md Suhaimi snatched bronze in the men’s singles artistic event.
The women’s team managed a total of 9.915 points in the final while Vietnam recorded a total of 9.965 points to take the gold.
They had been guaranteed at least silver after besting Malaysia in the semi-final round on Tuesday.
Bronze in the women’s artistic team event were shared between Malaysia and Singapore.
Meanwhile, male competitor Muhd Ali Saifullah ensured a fine SEA Games debut after beating defending champion Philippines’ Edmar Tacuel with a score of 9.935 points in the elimination round.
The passage to the semi-finals guaranteed the Bruneian exponent at least a bronze medal and a shot at the gold medal.
The national athlete settled for bronze following a loss to eventual gold medallist Singapore Muhd Iqbal bin Abdul Rahman in the last-four phase.
In the men’s artistic individual event, Thailand’s Ilyas Sadara claimed the silver medal with Malaysia’s Luqman Laji taking the other bronze.
Anisah Najihah, a bronze medallist at the 2019 SEA Games, also competed in the women’s artistic individual event where she was defeated by Vietnam’s Vuong Thi Binh in the elimination round. Anisah has also been chosen as the flag-bearer for the opening ceremony of the 31st SEA Games at the My Dinh National Stadium tonight.
The national wushu athletes are expected to take part at the Cau Giay Sporting Hall from May 13 to 15 followed by the e-Sports competitors from May 16 to 22 at the Vietnam National Convention Centre.
The country’s interest at the competition will also involve karate athletes on May 18 and 19 at the Ninh Binh Province Sports Gymnasium.
-- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin