Be inspired by Olympic stars, young athletes told

KUCHING (Oct 1): Junior athletes are urged to emulate stars of the recent Olympic Games in Paris in their own quest for excellence and glory. China’s diving ace and two-time Olympic champion Quan Hungchan was highlighted as an example.

This was the call made by Padawan Municipal Council chairman Tan Kai who shared that Quan took up diving at a very young age and underwent much hardships in her journey to win her first Olympic gold in Tokyo in 2021 and the second gold at Paris Olympics.

“Quan told reporters that she strove to compete in the Olympics and was motivated by the fact that the incentives that she would get would help pay for the hospital bills for her mother who suffered poor health after a car accident,” he shared at the closing of the 4th Sarawak Youth Open Wushu Championships at Chung Hua Middle School No. 1 on Sunday.

Tan was representing Deputy Sarawak Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, who is also Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government.

“I believe that some of you will be selected from this competition for further training in the state development programme and one day be able to represent Sarawak in national meets such as Malaysia Games (Sukma) and National Wushu Championships and even represent Malaysia at he SEA and Asian Games.

“Although wushu is not a medal event in the Olympics yet, I do believe that it will be competed in the Olympics one day,” he added.

Tan also commended the parents for supporting their children in sports, noting that many of them had come from outside Kuching to accompany their children to compete in the tournament.

The annual state junior championships attracted 510 athletes from 101 kindergartens, primary and secondary schools throughout the state.

Also present at the closing ceremony were organising chairperson Ho It Ching, tournament director Lydia Ling Ung Hee and Chung Hua Middle School No. 3 principal Lee Chee Beng.