Sukma XXI: Sarawak karate team aims for medals tomorrow after today’s miss

MIRI (Aug 17): Sarawak failed to earn any Malaysia Games (Sukma) XXI medals from karate’s individual kata and kumite events at Institut Kemahiran Belia Negara (IKBN) Miri today.

Sarawak karate head coach Jarvis Julian said that the team’s first day outing today was a disappointment, but was satisfied with their overall performance in all seven categories contested today.

“We expected to earn a medal today, but our athlete Dania Darmanto had to pull out of the semi-final due to injury.

“She had a fractured elbow and is currently receiving treatment at Miri Hospital,” he told reporters when met today.

On the performance of karateka Nur Daniella Atika Shafi’e, Jarvis said that he was proud of her performance despite her first time participating in Sukma.

He said that he did not expect Nur Daniella, 20. to be able to reach the semi-final of the Women Kumite 50kg.

Meanwhile, Nur Daniella said that this was her first Sukma appearance and also her last before pursuing her tertiary education this September.

The former SMK Merbau student obtained a CGPA of 3.92 in last year’s STPM.

In today’s event, Sarawak contested in the Men and Women Individual Kata, Men and Women Kumite 55kg and 60kg, Men and Women Kumite 55kg and 50kg as well as in the Men Kumite 67kg.

Tomorrow (Aug 18), the Sarawak karate team will participate in eight categories namely Male and Female Kata team, and six individual events.

“We hope to bring some medals tomorrow,” Jarvis said.