Malaysian karatekas spar with other nations in Hong Kong
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian karate team had a training stint in Hong Kong recently to prepare for the Asian Championships in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, from May 23-25.
National karate (kumite) coach R. Sharmendran said: "The Hong Kong camp gave us the opportunity to spar with athletes from Poland, Italy, Canada and Hong Kong."
The athletes will return to their states for the National Championships (May 13-18), followed by the Asian Championships, Southeast Asian Championships (June 14-19), Karate Serie A (Oct 3-5) and Thailand Sea Games (Dec 9-20)."
"We currently have 25 athletes in the training camp, nine under the Podium Programme and 16 from the back-up squad."
The national team's best showing at the Asian Championships was winning four golds in 2007 in Nilai. In Hangzhou last year, Malaysia won a bronze through C. Shahmalarani in the women's below 50kg category.
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