Monday February 26, 2007

It looks like judo is here to stay

By NG WEI LOON
Photos by ABDUL RAHMAN SENIN

BUDDING judo exponents twisted and turned as they tried to overpower each other at the third edition of the recent Selangor Junior Judo Championships.

The spectators at Selangor Judo Association (SJA) training centre in Bandar Teknologi Kajang, which comprised competitors’ families and friends, were also in upbeat mood, hoping to catch some clever throwing and locking manoeuvres when they provided the vocal support to the exponents.

A total of 58 competitors aged between six and 17 competed in 67 bouts during the half-day event.

Not letting go: Sai Keet (top) trying to net a win by locking his opponent on the ground.

“This is the first time we hosted the event at our new centre that was set up in August. Although it is just a small group featured in the event, we are delighted that the popularity of the art is growing as parents took the effort to be here to witness the youngsters in action,” said SJA honorary secretary Susan Cheah.

She said the tournament was also a selection ground for the potential exponents to represent Selangor at this season’s national junior meet.

“The reason we organised the competition in the early part of the year is to provide more time for our junior exponents to prepare for the national championships,” added Susan.

Methodist Boys School Kuala Lumpur (MBSKL), which came with a busload of 19 competitors were the biggest contingent at the event.

“We want to continue our school’s rich tradition in doing well in sports. The competition is an opportunity for our students to shine in judo. We are pleased that we won the overall champion challenge trophy in our first outing as a team,” said the school’s judo club teacher Yusri Hussain.

MBSKL bagged seven gold medals including two medals by primary school pupils Hafez Ramlan and Lee Sai Keet who clinched the Under-11 and Under-12 categories respectively.

Yusri added that the MBSKL secondary school judo club formed last year recruited 35 students for the twice-a-week training sessions.

“We are also grateful to the MBSKL Old Boys’ support in grooming young exponents at our school.”

Lee, who picked up the art just six months ago also won the Most Promising Boys’ Judoka while Chew Yen Peng, 11 from Seri Suria clinched the Most Promising Girls’ Judoka award.

“I enjoy learning judo because it is an opportunity for me to master a combat art,” said Lee, 12.

Show of skill: Yen Peng (right) attempting to execute a throw.

SJA president R. Mohan gave away the prizes to the winners and urged the junior exponents to aim, to do well beyond the state competitions.

“The good turnout today has shown that the junior memberships in our association has increased. But, we hope that our young exponents will stand up to the challenge, to deliver results at national level. Considering that we had only four representatives in the fray at the national junior meet last year, we did quite well.

Our aim is to have more exponents tussling for honours in as many categories as possible this year,” he said.

RESULTS

Mixed

- Under-Six: Lee Leslie (Tadika Perpaduan RT Jln Reko)

Girls’

- Under-10: Brenda Lee Xiao Yi (SK Puteri Pandan 1)

- Under-12: 1. Chew Yen Peng (Seri Suria), 2. Yoong Sue Li (SJK (C) Yu Hua), 3. Ang Shuo Lin (SJK (C) Yu Hua)

- Under-16: Lee Yin Ying (SMK (C) Yu Hua)

- Under-16: Vinesha (SMK (C) Yu Hua)

- Most Promising Judoka: Chew Yen Peng (Seri Suria)

Boys’

- Under-Seven: Lee Yin Gin (SRJK (C) Yu Hua)

- Under-Eight: 1. Rajjang Lama (Seri Suria), 2. Lee Kai Chern (MBSKL), 3. Thayalan (SJK (T) Jln San Peng)

- Under-Nine: 1. Chew Boon Hou (Seri Suria), 2. R. Raja (SRJK (T) Kajang), 3. Yugendran (SR Tmn Jasmin)

- Under-10: 1. Nicholas Tuan (Seri Suria), 2. Tiah Oon Hou (SJK (C) Yu Hua), 3. Lee Leon (SJK (C) Sg Chua)

- Under-11: 1. Hafez Ramlan (MBSKL), 2. Lee Leeson (SJK (C) Sg Chua), 3. Lee Kai Tsern (MBSKL)

- Under-12: 1. Lee Sai Keet (MBSKL), 2. Alexander Lee (Sayfol International School), 3. Karthikan (MBSKL)

- Under-13: 1. Lee Kar Hoe (SRJK (C) Jln Davidson), 2. Lee Kai Hung (MBSKL)

- Under-13: Lee Kartting (SMK Confucius)

- Under-14: 1. Jacky Sam (MBSKL), 2. Lee Sai Mon (MBSKL)

- Under-14: 1. Ong Wei Wei (MBSKL), 2. Ricardo Wong

- Under-14: Eugene Chek (MBSKL)

- Under-15: Chew Chee Hui (MBSKL)

- Under-17: 1. Andrew Ang (MBSKL), 2. Chen Yoon Jian (MBSKL), 3. Law Wai Hong (MBSKL)

- Under-17: 1. R. Muralitharah (Kajang High School), 2. Aldo Lee (MBSKL)

- Most Promising Judoka: Lee Sai Keet (MBSKL)

Overall Champion: MBSKL