Karate coach's Asian Games verdict: 'They achieved more than I expected'

NAGOYA: National karate kumite coach R. Sharmendran admitted his exponents had far exceeded his expectations at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.

The karate competition concluded at the Toyohashi Gymnasium yesterday, with Malaysia's squad bagging two golds and three bronzes.

C. Shahmalarani (women's under-50kg) and Adeola Fay Robert (women's under-55kg) delivered the gold medals, while K. Thevendran (men's under-55kg), H. Sureeya Sankar (women's under-60kg) and the men's team kata squad of Aiqal Asmadie, Haznil Henry and Mukhriz Mazlan claimed bronze.

It was a breakthrough performance for both Shahmalarani and Adeola.

After losing to her three times previously, Shahmalarani, 27, defeated Uzbekistan's world champion Gulshan Alimardanova 3-2 in the semi-finals.

She then outfoxed Hong Kong's Tsang Yee Ting in the final, winning on hantei (referee decision) after the bout ended 0-0.

Sharmendran said he was proud of his charges.

"I am definitely very happy. They achieved more than what I expected," said Sharmendran.

"For Shahmalarani, the Uzbekistan exponent (Alimardanova) was the one we really wanted to beat because we had lost to her twice in recent competitions.

"Shahmalarani lost to the Hong Kong exponent (Yee Ting) in the Premier League a few months ago but beat her at a Series A competition in Malaysia last year, so we knew it would be close.

"It was mostly a tactical fight. We had to be careful and not take any risks.

"It (the final) might have looked a little boring but I really don't care. It is all about winning."

Sharmendran was equally impressed by Adeola, 20.

"She is our future. She is very talented, very hard-working and very humble," he added.

"I am glad I found her when I went to the 2024 Sarawak Malaysia Games as a junior coach. She was not in the national team at the time.

"She was in Form Six at the time but when I asked her to join the national team, she stopped studying halfway, came (to Bukit Jalil) and trained like a machine.

"If she keeps working hard and does her level best, she will be world champion one day."

Adeola has since resumed her studies and is now training to become a teacher at the Special Education Teachers Training Institute in Cheras.

Sharmendran stressed that the karate squad's success was the result of a collective effort.

The Malaysian Karate Federation (Makaf) grabbed headlines when it offered Proton e.MAS cars as an incentive for gold medallists at the Asian Games.

"It is not just about me or my work, it really took a team effort. I am grateful to also have a good president such as Datuk Nur Azmi Ahmad," he said.

"Our exponents would have still given their all anyway, but offering such incentives definitely gives that extra push of motivation, which is good. And you see now, we have two gold medals.

"Hopefully, the coach gets one too," he added in jest.

Sharmendran confirmed that the Malaysia SEA Games will be the national squad's main priority next year.