'Onsoi': The Murut word behind Ivy's golden karate moment

KOTA KINABALU: What began as a seven-year-old's accidental entry into karate after choosing the wrong sports club has taken Ivy Olivera Donny, 20, to the top of junior karate.

The Sabah exponent won the women's Under-21 individual kata gold at the Asian Karate Federation Cadet, Junior and U21 Championships in Amman, Jordan, on Sept 10.

Ivy said she had originally intended to join the taekwondo club at St Joseph Primary School in Penampang at age seven, only to realise it was actually a karate club when she attended her first training session.

"When I told my parents, they encouraged me to continue since the equipment had already been bought. Looking back, perhaps this was God's best plan for me," she said.

The eldest of four siblings said her parents had been her biggest source of strength, making sacrifices to support her karate career.

The national junior athlete, currently training at the National Sports Council (NSC) in Bukit Jalil, said hearing Negaraku played on the podium was a moment she would cherish for the rest of her life.

"I was honestly surprised because I thought I had lost after the Iranian athlete celebrated her win in the adjacent arena. I only felt relieved and proud after the actual score was announced," she said.

Ivy said the victory was especially meaningful after she managed only a bronze at the previous Malaysia Games (Sukma), which motivated her to bounce back on the international stage.

"I couldn't bring home a gold medal for Sabah, but I hope this medal can make the people of Sabah proud," said Ivy, who trains twice a day, six days a week.

She has since returned to Bukit Jalil to sharpen her kata techniques and prepare for upcoming international competitions, insisting that her triumph in Jordan was not the end of her journey.

Ivy said the achievement came with sacrifices, including injuries, distance from her family, and financial challenges, but she remained determined to pursue her goals.

She summed up her victory in three words: "patience, faith, and onsoi", using the Murut word for "good" or "fine" commonly spoken in Sabah.