700 reasons to cheer as Taekwondo champs begin

MIRI: More than 700 taekwondo athletes from across Sarawak are competing in the three-day Sarawak Taekwondo Association (WTF) – Majlis Sukan Negeri Sarawak Championship 2024, which kicked off at the Miri Indoor Stadium today (Sept 21).

State Transport Minister, Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin, officially declared the championship open, urging the athletes to strive for excellence and bring home gold medals.

“This annual state event serves as a crucial evaluation for our athletes to assess their training, skills, and tactics,” Lee said during the opening ceremony.

The city is represented by a strong contingent of over 150 athletes from 17 schools and training centres.
Sarawak’s taekwondo athletes have recently showcased their prowess at the SUKMA XXI 2024, where they clinched the Taekwondo crown with an impressive haul of 11 gold, four silver, and four bronze medals.

The Senadin assemblyman commended the efforts of the WTF in producing high-performance athletes and expressed confidence in Sarawak’s prospects for the upcoming 2027 SEA Games.

“With the enthusiasm and teamwork from the Sarawak Taekwondo Association (WTF), we are well-positioned for more successful games outings,” he said.

The championship, which continues throughout the weekend, also saw the presence of State Technical Chairman of the Sarawak Taekwondo Association (WTF), Grand Master Tan Check Joon.