The SEA Games

[GeneChing]

The prez is all place in the top three. we got no money for you, but do it....

SBY wants a top-three spot for Indonesia at SEA Games
Erwida Maulia & Agnes Winarti , The Jakarta Post , Jakarta | Thu, 03/19/2009 3:03 PM | Sports

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has asked the National Sports Council (KONI) to lead Indonesia to a top-three finish at this year's Southeast Asian (SEA) Games XXV, to be held in Laos.

The president pledged full funding to help the athletes prepare, adding he would immediately discuss the issue after the legislative elections.

"Let's target a top-three finish. That is no illusion; that's a real target. And you have to have a strong will, undergo training and prepare good logistics to meet the expectations," the President said Wednesday as he officiated KONI's two-day national meeting at the Presidential Palace.

The President, chief patron of the Democratic Party, said he did not want to commence the talks before the elections, over concerns the move could be construed as "something else".

Indonesia used to be the dominant force in the Southeast Asian multisport showcase, until 1997 when it hosted the biennial event.

At the last SEA Games in Thailand in 2007, attended by 10 Southeast Asian countries, Indonesia finished a lowly fourth, trailing winners Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam.

Yudhoyono said the government had continuously increased the budget allocation for sports each year.

With the global economic crisis expected to slash Indonesia's tax revenues, the President expressed hope the private sector would help develop the country's sports through corporate social responsibility programs.

"It looks like I have to descend the mountain to call for someone to help," he said, adding he enjoyed watching sports and wanted the public to enjoy them too. "We want the public to appreciate sports because they provide good life lessons."

He added sports could teach people about sportsmanship, an attitude that should also be exhibited by candidates in elections.

The President told KONI to build up the country's sports structure based on long-term visions, and to aim for achievements at the global level.

The KONI meeting, which kicked off Tuesday, was attended by hundreds of participants representing KONI's 33 provincial branches and 49 sports federations.

The Laos SEA Games, which will take place in December, is among the list of events Indonesia will participate in this year. The others include the 5th Paralympics Games, also in Laos (December), the 3rd Asian Indoor Games in Vietnam (November), the 2nd Islamic Solidarity Games in Iran (October), the 1st Asian Youth Games in Singapore (June) and the 1st Asian Martial Arts Games in Thailand (April).

KONI chairwoman Rita Subowo said the council would receive an allocation of Rp 120 billion from the government for a national training camp.

"We expect to receive the funds soon," Rita said after the meeting.

"The President is aware that to achieve *in sports*, good funding is needed. After the elections in April, we will be summoned to further discus about funding."

KONI will participate in 22 sports from 26 on offer in Laos, while for the 1st Asian Martial Arts Games, which will be held in Bangkok from April 25 to May 3, KONI will join fights in five of nine sports, including karate, wushu, taekwondo, judo and pencak silat.

[GeneChing]

But the SEA Games are mentioned the most prominently...

Last Updated: Wednesday, May 20, 2009 12:27:32 Vietnam (GMT+07)
Passion fuels wushu warrior

A young martial arts star and daughter of a wushu champion says it was sweat and tears that got her where she is today, not nepotism.

Vu Thuy Linh admits that she might have become a singer or a teacher had she not followed her mother’s footsteps into a life as a wushu martial arts master.

The 19-year-old says having her mother as a trainer was an advantage, but that she still had to endure pain and hardship to win international recognition as one of Southeast Asia’s best fighters.

However, some have said that Linh’s success is not only due to her mother’s training, but also her status as a government official.

“I don’t think I’ve gotten where I am because of my mother’s power,” Linh says. “I know my strengths and weaknesses.”

And indeed, she showed the strengths when she won the gold medal at the 2007 SEA Games wushu competition by defeating some of the sport’s best athletes.

Learning the art

Linh’s mother took her to her first wushu class when she was just five years old.

“I practiced it for a few days and was interested, but it was too tiring and I wanted to sing, not fight.”

Linh then began studying singing.

“After two years of song classes, I told Mom I was ready to try wushu again. But she said I would have to try my best and there would be no giving up this time.”

Linh quickly developed advanced nanquan skills, which were her mother’s specialty. But it took extra practice for her to master the more difficult changquan style.

She had to lift weights to gain the necessary strength for changquan, which she says she regrets a bit because she feels the lifting stunted her growth. Though she says she’s too short and fat, its hard not to describe the 1.63-meter Linh as both tall and attractive.

Detour

In 2005, Linh injured her knee and had to stop practicing while she received treatment in China. It was a huge setback as she ended up missing several major international events that year while she recovered.

Linh says she became very pessimistic but that encouraging words and care from her parents, trainers and friends helped her regain her confidence.

As she nursed her injury for six months, she decided to help teach junior wushu classes for children.

“I was just like them when I was a child. I felt very happy to be able to help out,” she said.

Rise

After months of watching from the sidelines as her friends practiced, Linh began to feel a burning desire to train again.

She began practicing in May 2007, before she had fully recovered. She had her sights set on the 24th Southeast Asian Games in December that year.

Linh felt a lot of pressure to perform after years out of the game and says she tried to practice 10 times harder than her teammates.

“At times it was very painful and I couldn’t walk after some practices. My teammates had to help me and I often cried.”

But the effort paid off when she won the gold medal at the SEA Games.

She says her strength is her confidence. She says she forgets about all the worries of life when she competes and only feels truly free wile performing.

“But this is also a weakness,” Linh says. “When I get too excited, I sometimes forget the difficult movements and make mistakes.”

For the future

Now, Linh and her teammates are training for several events at the end of the year: the Asian Wushu Championships, the World Wushu Championships and the 25th SEA Games in Laos.

She’s also an assistant trainer for the 14-15 year-old national squad.

The young warrior is also learning Chinese in preparation to take the entrance exam to the Beijing University for Physical Training and Sports, where some of the world’s best wushu artists have trained.

Reported by Hong Minh

VU THUY LINH
Born: 1990 in Hanoi
Nickname: “Linh Beo” (Fatty Linh)
Won a bronze medal at the national junior wushu competiton at the age of nine; won three golds at the Asian Youth Wushu competitions in 2003, 2005, and 2007
Once won first prize at a singing competition in Hanoi

[GeneChing]

I should start a 10WWG thread here.... eh...maybe later...

June 24, 2009 19:41 PM
World Championship To Be Last Tango For Wushu Exponents Before Sea Games

KUALA LUMPUR, June 24 (Bernama) -- The 10th World Wushu Championship in Canada this October is expected to be the final platform for national wushu exponents to boost their skills and confidence before the SEA Games in Vientiane, Laos in December.

Wushu Federation of Malaysia (WFM) executive secretary Winnie Chin Kim Yoong told Bernama that the World Championship to be held from Oct 24-29 in Toronto will be the last major event before the SEA Games from Dec 9-18.

"We expect national exponents who compete in the championship to gain very good exposure to boost their confidence before heading to Laos. This is also an acid test for them," said Chin.

Among the exponents who have been identified for the World Wushu Championship are Lim Yew Fai, Pui Fook Chien, Ang Eng Chong, Lee Yang, Wee Jung Jieh (Taolu) and Ng Say Yoke, Wong Her Jien, Ding Siew Bee for (Sanshou).

At the last World Wushu Championship in Beijing, two years ago, more than 1,000 wushu exponents from 89 countries took part and a similar participation was expected in Canada, she said.

Chin said the national exponents were currently undergoing intensive training at the National Sports Complex in Bukit Jalil under head coach Yoong Tong Foong as preparations for the international and regional championships.

The SEA Games offers a total of 383 gold medals in the 25 sports contested, from which 21 gold medals are allocated for Wushu competitions.

Malaysia won two gold medals at the 2007 Korat SEA Games in Thailand through the women's Nanquan and Taijiquan.

Chin however, said the federation has yet to set any targets for SEA Games but was confident the national exponents would be able to win several gold medals.

-- BERNAMA

[GeneChing]

I omitted all but the martial artists in the first article...

Indonesian Athletes to Watch at the SEA Games

Here are some of Indonesia's strongest medal hopefuls at the Southeast Asian Games.

...

Wushu: Lindswell, 19

Two years ago in Thailand, Lindswell was just another wushu athlete, and she was ousted in the first round of the taijiquan event.

What a difference a couple of years make. At the 2009 SEA Games, Lindswell is the one to beat as she comes into Laos with two world titles.

The North Sumatra native won the World Junior Wushu Championship in Bali last December. And in October of this year, she took the taijiquan title at the Wushu World Championship in Toronto, Canada.

Lindswell said that she’s optimistic about her gold medal chances in Laos, but pointed to Ma laysian Ng Shin Yi, who finished fourth in Canada, as the biggest threat .

...

Judo: Kresna Bayu, 34

Kresna Bayu is one of the most experienced athletes on the Indonesian team, having spent the last 20 years with the national judo squad, and he’s still the best in the 100-kg division.

The Laos Games will be Kresna’s seventh SEA Games, and he has collected four gold medals so far. The last of these golds came in 2001. He earned silver in Thailand in 2007.

Kresna has said that the Laos Games will be his last before retiring from the sport, and that he wants to end his long career with a gold.

He’s been training hard for that gold, and a victory at August’s Asian Martial Arts Games in Thailand proved that for Kresna, age is, indeed, only a number.

Saturday, December 12, 2009 12:51 AM
Wushu, karate hope to improve; boxers look to break dry spell
Agnes Winarti , The Jakarta Post , Jakarta | Fri, 12/04/2009 2:20 PM | Sports

The Indonesian wushu and karate teams aim to improve their gold medal tally from the last Southeast Asian Games while the boxers look to end a gold drought in Laos.

After managing to steal the show at the World Wushu Championships in Canada in October, Wushu Indonesia is confident its female wushu athletes will be able to maintain their form and improve the country's gold medal collection at the next SEA Games in Laos.

"Our two gold medal hopes rest with our female taolu athletes, Lindswell and Susyana *Tjhan*," team manager Ngatino said Wednesday.

Indonesia picked up one gold medal at the SEA Games in Thailand two years ago courtesy of men's taijiquan specialist Freddy, but the squad could only add a silver and four bronze to the tally.

This year the 18-strong team is heading to Laos with more confidence after their Toronto trip where 18-year-old Lindswell earned them a gold medal in the women's taijiquan event.

Women's changquan specialist Susyana, who won bronze in Thailand, finished third in Toronto.

Meanwhile, the karate team is looking to increase their gold count from two in Thailand to three.

The 17 karatekas have undergone six weeks of intensive training under the supervision of Japanese coach Yasuhisa Inada.

"The fighters have improved their speed, variations, tactics and spirit," team manager Djafar Djantang said.

Gold is expected in the men's 84- and 60-kilogram divisions, the women's kata team and the men's and women's kumite teams.

A total of 19 karate gold medals are on offer at the Games.

The nine-member boxing team are looking to end the gold drought in the last two SEA Games by targeting three gold medals.

Indonesian boxers could only bring home a bronze in Thailand and a silver in the Philippines.

Indonesia last won gold in 2003 in Vietnam, through Benny Elopere.

According to team manager Syamsul Anwar, men's light heavyweight Ahmad Amrin, women's light bantamweight Yunike Abigael Busira, and women's bantamweight Welmy Pariama would be their medal prospects.

[GeneChing]

I lost track of the SEA Games, but someone forwarded me this as more 'evidence' in lieu of the WWC lawsuit. Evidence. Oh yeah.

09 December 2013| last updated at 12:08AM
WUSHU: Mun Hua loses gold to bias judging

ONLY a month ago, Ho Mun Hua was crowned champion in men's nanquan at the World Championships in Kuala Lumpur but questionable judging robbed him a gold medal in the Sea Games in Naypyidaw yesterday.

Mun Hua was flawless in his routines but the judges only awarded him a 9.68 total, losing the gold medal by 0.02 points to Myanmar's Aung Wai Phyo in nanquan. Compatriot Kyaw Soe took third on 9.67.

National coach Yoong Thong Fong lambasted the officials for being unfair but Mun Hua did not want to make it an issue.

"Somehow I knew this thing (questionable judging) would happen. Mun Hua was far better than his rivals today (yesterday) but finished only second best," said Thong Fong at Wunna Theitdi Indoor Stadium yesterday.

"Bias judging is not uncommon in this sport. I've been to six Sea Games and most have been marred by unfair judging. We need things to improve."

However, Thong Fong is confident Mun Hua will return strongly in the nandao (today) and nangun (tomorrow). Mun Hua, who won his first nanquan world title in 2009 in Toronto, also picked up a silver in duilian with Wong Weng Son and Lee Yang, who combined for a 9.48 total.

Myanmar's Kyaw Htet Han-Aung Sein Thiha took gold with 9.65 while Singapore's Lee Tze Yuan-Yong Yi Xiang were third on 9.47.

As for Mun Hua, it was still an eventful day despite being robbed the gold after failing to win medals in two previous appearances.

The Malacca-born made his debut in the 2007 Korat edition and competed two years later in Laos but did not feature in the 2011 Indonesia edition due to injury.

"I am delighted and have no complains. I am happy with my performance and credit to the Myanmar exponent for winning the gold. My coach congratulated me and that meant a lot," said Mun Hua.

Mun Hua hopes his win in last month's world meet will inspire him in nandao today.


Wushu exponent Ho Mun Hua with his two silver medals yesterday. Bernama pic

[GeneChing]

Luv this pic! Anyone know the rules to Vovinam competition and can put in a nutshell post here? This article makes it sound like Wushu Duilian, which I've always said should have been what Wushu submitted to the Olympics, not solo Taolu. I know frightfully little about Vovinam.

Cambodia’s Souer Chanleakena (left) and her male teammates compete during their gold-medal-winning performance in the Da Luyen Vu Hhi Nu event of the SEA Games vovinam competition. NAGAWORLD / Khem Sovanna
Vovinam team give golden show
Fri, 20 December 2013
Dan Riley

Cambodia found themselves back on the golden path yesterday at the 27th SEA Games in Myanmar with triumph for the vovinam team. The Vietnamese martial art was the Kingdom’s most successful discipline at the 2011 Games in Indonesia, with team members grabbing two golds, seven silvers and three bronzes.

Yesterday’s morning session at the Zayar Thiri Indoor Stadium in Naypyidaw hadn’t offered much promise, however, with Chrin Bunlong, Kat Sopheak, Ly Boramy and San Socheat failing to repeat their silver medal in the men’s leg attack performance (known as Don Chan Tan Cong). The four were judged fifth on 265 points, as Vietnam clinched top spot with 280.

Cambodia’s Pov Sokha also missed out on the podium, coming fourth in women’s yin yang sword forms (Tinh Hoa Luong Nghu Kiem Phap) with 262. Myanmar’s Hnin Thi Da won with 269.

All was forgotten, however, in the afternoon when heroes Soeung Visal, Chin Piseth, Kat Sopheak and heroine Souer Chanleakena clinched gold in the one female defender against three male attackers with weapons performance (Da Luyen Vu Hhi Nu).

It was the Kingdom’s sixth gold medal of the Games, keeping them ninth in the medals table of 11. Thailand remain at the summit with 79 golds.

Two bronze medals were also kicked out for Cambodia on the vovinam mats with Mao Monita in women’s 45-50kg and Tin Pheap in men’s 55-60kg winning their quarter-finals but losing their semi-finals yesterday.

The delegation are hoping for more vovinam medals, as well as from events such as taekwondo, judo, kempo, sepak takraw and traditional boating before Sunday’s closing ceremony.

Bunna Cheang lost her women’s 53-57kg taekwondo quarter-final 15-1 on points at the Wunna Theikdi Indoor Stadium in Naypyidaw.

Cambodia had earlier yesterday spurned the chance to steal a march up the table on noisy neighbours Laos by losing the gold medal match in petanque mixed triples (two women, one man) at the Petanque Arena near Naypyidaw’s Athletes Village.

Tep Nora, Chhin Srey Pich and Duong Dina had been blazing a trail in the competition, winning all four preliminaries on Wednesday before dispatching Vietnam 13-6 in yesterday morning’s semi-final to guarantee silver.

But the trio came a cropper in the final despite surging into a 4-0 lead to eventually lose 13-5 to Laos players Thepphakan Bovilak, Nienmani Lar and Souliya Manyvanh.

Meanwhile, Cambodia’s other triples squad (two men, one woman) of Songvat Chakriya, Sieng Vanna and Ya Chandararith suffered a 13-9 defeat in the semi-finals to another Laos outfit to collect the bronze.

The Cambodian women’s hockey team conceded their hundredth goal in their fifth and final group game yesterday at the Hockey Field in Yangon, going down 7-0 to hosts Myanmar.

Pakistan-born coach Rana Asif Maqsood will be overwhelmed with areas to improve on but he should be commended for at least producing a team for competition out of absolutely no hockey tradition in the Kingdom and, indeed, not a single Astroturf facility suitable for training on at home.

The side will have one last chance to score a goal in the competition today when playing Indonesia, who beat them 15-0 on Monday, in the fifth place play-off at 10am Cambodian time. Myanmar will take on Singapore for the bronze medal at 12:30pm before huge favourites Malaysia meet Thailand in the title decider at 3pm.

At the athletics track of Naypyidaw’s Wunna Theikdi Sports Complex, Kieng Samorn came up short in the men’s 1,500 metres, finishing sixth. The Cambodian middle distance runner and London Olympian had made his way to second place up until the last 200m, when he appeared to run out of gas.

[GeneChing]

Last update 11:00 | 20/02/2014
Five countries support Vietnam’s martial art Vovinam at next SEA Games

VietNamNet Bridge – Vovinam – the martial art created by Vietnam - wins the strong support of five countries for a chance to appear in the 28th Southeast Asia Games, said Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Olympic Committee – Mr. Hoang Vinh Giang.



Giang has just returned from the meeting of the Sub-Committee on Sport and Law of the Southeast Asian Sport Federation on February 14-16 in Singapore.

He said that at the meeting, representatives of Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, Indonesia and Vietnam proposed to add Vovinam into the official competition program of the 28th SEA Games.

However, to formally appear in the games, Vovinam needs to get the consent of the host country - Singapore.

General Secretary of the World Vovinam Federation – Mr. Vo Danh Hai said Vietnam has actively lobbied the host country.

According to Hai, the World Vovinam Federation will help Singapore develop the Vovinam movement and establish the national Vovinam federation. After that, Vietnam will send experts to help Singapore develop the martial art and train its national team.

Vovinam appeared in the two most recent SEA Games in Indonesia and Myanmar. These countries are building forces to develop this martial art.

Hai said the biggest difficulty is that the Singaporean Olympic Committee has long supported the development of basic sports in the Olympic program.

At the meeting, countries also proposed to add seven other sports, including wrestling, to the next SEA Games.

The Sub-Committee on Sport and Law of the Southeast Asian Sport Federation is the most important body, which has a voice in determining the number of subjects and the number of competing events at the SEA Games.

The host country—Singapore, suggested 36 sports for the next SEA Games. Up to 34 sports are Vietnam’s key sports, including athletics, swimming, weightlifting, taekwondo, shooting, karate, badminton, table tennis, football, volleyball, judo, wushu, Sepak Takraw, fencing, gymnastics, Pencak Silat, archery, cycling and tennis.

Vovinam - Viet Vo Dao - is a Vietnamese martial art which is practiced with and without weapons. It is based on the principle of between hard and soft. It includes training of the body as well as the mind. It uses force and reaction of the opponent. Vovinam also includes hand, elbow, kicks, escape- and levering techniques. Both attack and defense techniques are trained, as well as forms, combat and traditional wrestling. The wide range of techniques include punching, kicking etc. as well as forms, wrestling, sword, staff, axe, folding fan and others.

Self-defense techniques cover defense against weaponless attacks like choking from behind and defense against attacks with knife or sword. Advanced students learn to combine the techniques and learn to defend themselves against armed opponents. Instructors train traditional weapons like the long stick, short stick, knife, sword and sabre. Thereby the weapons serve as training devices for reaching optimal control of body and mind.

Vovinam was founded by grandmaster Nguyen Loc (1912 – 1960) in 1938, with the intent of providing practitioners with an efficient method of self-defense after a short period of study. Grandmaster Nguyen believed martial arts would contribute to freeing Vietnam, which had been ruled by France since 1859, from outside domination. Vovinam is a comprehensive fighting system which have principles totally different amongst a bulk of Chinese styles of kung fu, Japanese and Korean systems.

Nam Nguyen

I would love to see more on the history of Vovinam.

[GeneChing]

All M’sian SEA Games athletes to undergo drug tests
March 25, 2015



KUALA LUMPUR: All Malaysian athletes taking part in Southeast Asian Games in June will have undergone a doping test before arriving in Singapore, the country’s sports minister said.

Malaysia has been rocked by high-profile doping cases in recent months with the country’s most famous athlete, former badminton number one Lee Chong Wei, provisionally suspended after he failed a test at the world championships in August.

Tai Cheau Xuen became the first Malaysian Asian Games gold medallist to fail a drugs test after the Wushu exponent tested positive for sibutramine and was kicked out of the multi-sport event after failing with an appeal in October.

“I have ordered the Malaysian Anti-Doping Agency to conduct doping tests on every athlete going to the SEA Games,” sports ministers Khairy Jamaluddin was quoted as saying by Bernama news agency yesterday.

Bernama said only 30 per cent of Malaysian athletes had been previously tested before going to a major sports event.

Malaysia sent more than 500 athletes to the last Southeast Asian Games in Myanmar in 2013.

The 28th SEA Games will take place from June 5-16 with athletes from the 11 nations that make up Southeast Asia taking part in an eclectic mix of 36 sports including athletics, billiards, sepak takraw and swimming.

Trying to save face this year.

[GeneChing]

The Asian Games story starts here.

Published: Monday May 11, 2015 MYT 9:40:00 PM
Updated: Monday May 11, 2015 MYT 10:18:57 PM
Wushu exponent Cheau Xuen back in the fray after doping ban
by lim teik huat


National wushu exponent Tai Cheau Xuen with the gold medal she won at the Asian Games in South Korea last year. She was stripped of the gold medal after failing a dope test. - Filepic

KUALA LUMPUR: Wushu exponent Tai Cheau Xuen thought her career was over when she was banned for four months for a doping offence at the Asian Games last September.

The 23-year-old was the first Malaysian gold medallist in Incheon, South Korea, after winning the women’s nanquan and nandao combined event. But her world came crumbling down after she was tested positive for sibutramine, an ingredient commonly found in slimming products.

She lost her gold medal and was banned for four months. The ban ended at the end of March this year.

And now Cheau Xuen’s back and is all fired up to make up for lost time. She will make her first competitive appearance at next month’s Singapore SEA Games.

“I didn’t expect to get a chance to compete at the SEA Games,” said Cheau Xuen, the 2013 world champion in compulsory nanquan, on Monday.

“I thought my career was over after the ban. It was tough during the suspension, as I had nothing to do.

“But I was advised to keep fit by doing muscle strengthening exercise on my own. I’m glad it’s over now and I’m going to the SEA Games,” said the 23-year-old from Seremban.

Cheau Xeun said she would not have been able to make a comeback if not for her family’s support.

“My dad (T.W. Tai) asked me to forget what happened and not to dwell on the past,” added Cheau Xuen, who recently returned home with the national team from a month-long training stint in Foochow, China.

The Singapore outing will be Cheau Xuen’s fifth outing in the biennial Games. She made her debut in Korat, Thailand, in 2007 where she managed to finish second behind compatriot Diana Bong Siong Lin in the nanquan and nandao combined events.

In Laos in 2009, Cheau Xuen could only manage a bronze in the duel event bare hands. It was in Indonesia in 2011 that Cheau Xuen managed to clinch her first gold in the nandao and nangun combined event.

Cheau Xuen was on top of the podium again in Myanmar in 2013 by winning the nandao event. She is now eyeing her third gold in Singapore.

“It’s harder this time as the nanquan and nandao disciplines are combined into one event. But I did not expect to be at the SEA Games in the first place, so I am going to try my best,” said Cheau Xuen.

Wushu delivered three golds, all in the women’s category, for Malaysia in 2013. Besides Cheau Xuen, the other gold medallists were Diana (nanquan) and Phoon Eyin (qiangshu).

[GeneChing]

Schooling in Singapore, where focus is all on SEA Games
Associated Press By JOHN PYE
5 hours ago


In this Wednesday, June 3, 2015, photo, visitors to the Singapore Sports hub view a giant blow up model of the 2015 South East Asian games mascot 'Nila' in Singapore. There's certainly world-class competitors among the 7,000 athletes expected to compete across 36 sports at the 11-nation competition which opens Friday and finishes June 16, but there's going to be events where the regional sports themselves are a main attraction for local spectators. (AP Photo/Joseph Nair)

SINGAPORE (AP) — After competing at the Olympics and winning an Asian Games gold medal, Joseph Schooling has a big profile in Singapore for an athlete who rarely gets to compete in front of appreciative crowds in his home country.
Related Stories

So when he swims the first of his scheduled nine events at the Southeast Asian Games on the weekend, there's destined to be a lot of hype around the pool at the gleaming new Singapore Sports Hub.

"This is my home, where I grew up and where everything started. My friends and family are going to be there and I'm really excited to be racing in a home atmosphere for once," the 19-year-old University of Texas student told the Straits Times.

His aim is gold in every event.

For Lee Chong Wei, the 28th edition of the SEA Games presents a different kind of opportunity, still very close to home. The Malaysian, a former No. 1-ranked badminton player, is using the regional Olympic-style event as part of a return to competition from a doping ban that has derailed his preparations for the 2016 Olympics and cost him a world championship silver medal.

He'll be competing for Malaysia in the team event, and says he's desperate to help them win a gold medal.


In this Wednesday, June 3, 2015, photo, the unlit torch for the 2015 South East Asian Games in Singapore is photographed with the Singapore skyline in the distance. There's certainly world-class competitors among the 7,000 athletes expected to compete across 36 sports at the 11-nation competition which opens Friday and finishes June 16, but there's going to be events where the regional sports themselves are a main attraction for local spectators. (AP Photo/Joseph Nair)

The SEA Games, held every two years, wasn't high on his radar when he was at the top, but takes on a much higher profile as his second important competition since a backdated eight-month ban finished at the end of April.

There's certainly world-class competitors among the 7,000 athletes expected to compete across 36 sports at the 11-nation competition which opens Friday and finishes June 16, but there's going to be events where the regional sports themselves are a main attraction for local spectators.

Sepak takraw, where players kick a rattan ball, and Silat, a form of martial arts that evolved in Indonesia, are among the sports indigenous to the region that rarely get exposure at bigger events but which have local appeal.

Singapore's landmarks, old and new, will provide the backdrop to many of the events during the country's 50th anniversary, with the state-of-the-art Sports Hub the focal point. Other venues include the Padang, the picturesque cricket ground adjoined by the city hall, a cathedral and the old Supreme Court building which will host petanque, a lawn bowls-style game.

The opening ceremony on Friday night at the 55,000-seat National Stadium will mark the official opening of the SEA Games, although competition started early in the week in football, netball, table tennis and synchronized swimming.

The football competition will be the last for Indonesia in international tournaments until a ban imposed by FIFA last week for government interference is lifted. It could be an abrupt finish, with the Indonesian team losing its opening game and not among the title favorites in what is one of the marquee events at the SEA Games.

Hosting the SEA Games usually gives the home country a boost in the medal standings, and Singapore started well by picking up five of the first eight gold medals awarded in table tennis and synchronized swimming.

Schooling won silver in the 100 butterfly at the Commonwealth Games last year, and won a bronze, silver and Singapore's first Asian Games men's swimming gold in 32 years at Incheon later in the year.

"I know Joseph, he's going to be ready. This is his country, it's the 50th anniversary and he will show his best," Singapore head coach Sergio Lopez said.

I imagine the Wushu will be good in Singapore.

[GeneChing]

Plus it has a fencing pic. Luv that.

Posted on June 04, 2015 05:38:00 PM
By Rey Joble and Michael Angelo S. Murillo, Reporter
Taekwondo, wushu out to deliver golds for PHL at the SEA Games

SINGAPORE -- The Philippine taekwondo contingent has consistently produced gold medals for the country in previous Southeast Asian (SEA) Games and has in fact reached the world championships and Olympic events levels.


Gian Franco Rodriguez (L) of the Philippines competes against Indonesia’s Muhammad Haerullah in their men’s individual épée round of 16 fencing match during the 28th Southeast Asian Games in Singapore on June 3. -- AFP

But the jins will be bringing in new faces who will carry the fort in helping the country’s gold haul in the biennial meet.

Returning to action for the jins’ campaign is the men’s Poomsae team, which will welcome its latest inclusion, Rodolfo Reyes, Jr., who will join mainstays brothers Dustin Jacob and Raphael Enrico Mella.

The Poomsae team won one of the four gold medals garnered by the jins in the 2013 edition of this multi-sports event in Myanmar.

The three other gold medalists -- Kristopher Robert Uy, Kristie Alora and Jade Zafra, are no longer with the team as their spots were taken over by other young, promising athletes.

Still, Philippine Taekwondo Training Director Igor Mella remains upbeat of the team’s chances and hoping that all the athletes they sent for the Games would deliver.

“I think the three times a day training have somehow helped us to become more prepared for the SEA Games,” said Mr. Mella in an interview with a local channel here.

Wushu is another combat sport that has become a rich source of gold for the Pinoys.

Daniel Parantac, gold medalist in the men’s tajiquian, will once again spearhead the wushu bets’ campaign as the team tries to outdo the three-gold haul it completed in Myanmar.

“We want 50 gold medals because it’s time we get up there,” said Cynthia Carrion, the head of the gymnastics association.

“Our expectations are good because this is the first time the POC (Philippine Olympic Committee) and the PSC (Philippine Sports Commission) gave them the tools. Before, they didn’t,” Ms. Carrion said.

“They gave them strengthening, conditioning exercises and they gave them nutrition.”

Also the Deputy chef de mission for the SEA Games Ms. Carrion during the sendoff expressed confidence the Philippines could attain winning 50 gold medals, owing to the important tool provided by the POC and the PSC gearing up for battles in major international events like the SEA Games.

‘BETTER-PREPARED’ PHL CONTINGENT
Meanwhile, as action picks up in Singapore a “better-prepared” Philippine contingent is all set to go to work, a local sports official said.

The Philippine campaign in the biannual sports gathering is anchored on a 472-athlete contingent who will see action in 35 events out of 36 disciplines.

“It’s all systems go. All the administrative stuff for our contingent is being taken cared of. The Philippine Sports Commission and Philippine Olympic Committee staff are here to facilitate things for our team,” said Joey Romasanta, POC first vice-president, in a phone interview from Singapore.

Mr. Romasanta said following a “disappointing” showing in 2013 in Myanmar where the Philippines placed seventh overall with a medal haul of 29 golds, 34 silvers and 38 bronzes, by far the worst placing for the country in the history of the Games, they made sure that they are sending “battle-ready” athletes to compete.

“Conditioning-wise we are improved this year. We really put emphasis on, and invested in, strength and conditioning for our athletes, as well as on nutrition. That being said, I think we have better chances this time as we are better-prepared,” the official, who is also the president of the Larong Volleyball sa Pilipinas, Inc., said.

The added focus on conditioning and strength ran alongside the raise in allowance for athletes from $300 to $500 as well as other incentives for medals won which are all geared toward inspiring the country’s sportsmen.

Competing in more events, Mr. Romasanta said, should help our chances of winning medals but he cautioned that it does not guarantee instant success.

Asked for a medal haul prediction, Mr. Romasanta chose to be conservative, underscoring the difficulty of throwing in figures.

“If we get 35 gold medals, I think we are good,” he said.

[GeneChing]

Y'all know why I'm posting this, right?

Published: Tuesday June 2, 2015 MYT 10:29:00 PM
Updated: Tuesday June 2, 2015 MYT 10:38:43 PM
Wushu: Clean slate for Eyin in Singapore SEA Games
by lim teik huat


National wushu exponent Phoon Eyin.

KUALA LUMPUR: Her face was plastered all over the local papers when she won Malaysia’s 1,000th SEA Games gold medal in Myanmar two years ago as a debutant.

But that’s all in the past for Phoon Eyin, one of the three women’s gold medallists for wushu then.

The photogenic teenager, whose forte is in qiangshu (spear), left with the squad for the Singapore SEA Games on Tuesday. The wushu competition starts on Saturday.

“That was then ... it’s a different SEA Games now and in a different place, so I’ll start afresh.

“It’s harder for me to defend it than winning it the first time,” said the Negri Sembilan-born Eyin, who won gold in compulsory chanquan at the World Championships in Kuala Lumpur in 2013.

She is counting on the recent three-week training stint in China, under two-time Asian Games champion Kan Wencong, to defend her SEA Games title in qiangshu.

“I trained in Hebei under Wencong last month. She runs a wushu school there and we managed to spar with some top athletes there.

“I have improved on my techniques. I hope I can be calm and perform well on competition day,” said Eyin, who also bagged a bronze in jianshu (straight sword) in Myanmar.

Eyin finished fifth in her Asian Games debut in Incheon in qiangshu while Vietnam’s Duong Thuy Vi took the gold. The duo are expected to lock horns in for the gold medal in Singapore.

“Winning the Asian Games title sure makes her the favourite but I’m not worried. I’m just focused on my own performance.”

Besides qiangshu, Eyin will also take part in jianshu and the duel event with Loh Ying Ting.

The other in the Malaysia wushu team are Diana Bong, Tai Cheau Xuen, Ng Shin Yii, Chan Lu Yi, Audrey Chan, Aggie Cheah and Chai Fong Wei (women); Ho Mun Hua, Khaw Jun Lim, Loh Choon How, Loh Jack Chang, Wong Weng Son, Yap Zheng Yan, Yeap Wai Kin, Chong Lui Meng and Tan Jia Guan (men).

[GeneChing]

Y'all know why I'm posting this, right? Sword-hotties.

Published: Tuesday June 2, 2015 MYT 10:29:00 PM
Updated: Tuesday June 2, 2015 MYT 10:38:43 PM
Wushu: Clean slate for Eyin in Singapore SEA Games
by lim teik huat


National wushu exponent Phoon Eyin.

KUALA LUMPUR: Her face was plastered all over the local papers when she won Malaysia’s 1,000th SEA Games gold medal in Myanmar two years ago as a debutant.

But that’s all in the past for Phoon Eyin, one of the three women’s gold medallists for wushu then.

The photogenic teenager, whose forte is in qiangshu (spear), left with the squad for the Singapore SEA Games on Tuesday. The wushu competition starts on Saturday.

“That was then ... it’s a different SEA Games now and in a different place, so I’ll start afresh.

“It’s harder for me to defend it than winning it the first time,” said the Negri Sembilan-born Eyin, who won gold in compulsory chanquan at the World Championships in Kuala Lumpur in 2013.

She is counting on the recent three-week training stint in China, under two-time Asian Games champion Kan Wencong, to defend her SEA Games title in qiangshu.

“I trained in Hebei under Wencong last month. She runs a wushu school there and we managed to spar with some top athletes there.

“I have improved on my techniques. I hope I can be calm and perform well on competition day,” said Eyin, who also bagged a bronze in jianshu (straight sword) in Myanmar.

Eyin finished fifth in her Asian Games debut in Incheon in qiangshu while Vietnam’s Duong Thuy Vi took the gold. The duo are expected to lock horns in for the gold medal in Singapore.

“Winning the Asian Games title sure makes her the favourite but I’m not worried. I’m just focused on my own performance.”

Besides qiangshu, Eyin will also take part in jianshu and the duel event with Loh Ying Ting.

The other in the Malaysia wushu team are Diana Bong, Tai Cheau Xuen, Ng Shin Yii, Chan Lu Yi, Audrey Chan, Aggie Cheah and Chai Fong Wei (women); Ho Mun Hua, Khaw Jun Lim, Loh Choon How, Loh Jack Chang, Wong Weng Son, Yap Zheng Yan, Yeap Wai Kin, Chong Lui Meng and Tan Jia Guan (men).

[GeneChing]

...there are more, but I'm only posting a few.

SEA Games: Fifth wushu gold for Singapore as Lee Tze Yuan wins in taijiquan
Published on Jun 8, 2015 4:10 PM


Wushu team captain Lee Tze Yuan delivered a rousing performance in the SEA Games men's taijiquan event to clinch Singapore's fifth wushu gold. -- ST PHOTO: TOH TING WEI

By Toh Ting Wei

SINGAPORE - Singapore clinched their fifth wushu gold medal of the SEA Games through team captain Lee Tze Yuan, who delivered a rousing performance in the men's taijiquan event on Monday afternoon.

Lee scored 9.71, pipping Philippines Daniel Parantac (9.70) and Indonesia's Fredy to first place.

Earlier in the afternoon, women's wushu athlete Valerie Wee also won a silver in the women's taijijian event. Wee, who is competing in her last SEA Games, scored 9.71 but lost out to Indonesian Lindswell's 9.73. It was Lindswell's second gold in two days, having also won gold in the taijiquan event yesterday.

While Wee was denied a fairy-tale ending to her SEA Games career, she was far from disappointed. Wee said: "It was the perfect ending, and to have a score so close to the Asian Games silver medallist is a good achievement. She has been very consistent, so there is no surprise in her winning both her events."

Surprise Sea Games wushu gold from women
By DEVINDER SINGH - 8 June 2015 @ 10:11 PM
SINGAPORE: An excitable trio of young women delivered a second Sea Games wushu gold medal for Malaysia today by winning the women's duilian barehand event. With only three countries taking part, Malaysia's Audrey Chan, Chan Lu Yi and Aggie Cheah edged Myanmar and Laos to the gold medal after scoring 9.65 points. "We were not expecting to win gold," said Audrey. "We had not trained for this event for very long but we are excited to have won." Their gold medal follows Loh Jack Chang's victory in the men's compulsory taijijian earlier in the day. The wushu exponents ended their campaign with two gold, three silver and four bronze medals.


Malaysia's Audrey Chan, Chan Lu Yi and Aggie Cheah win the women's duilian barehand event.

SEA Games: Zoe Mui snares late wushu gold in women's changquan
Published on Jun 7, 2015 10:13 PM


Singapore's Zoe Mui clinched the gold in the women's changquan (optional) event held at the Singapore Expo on June 7, 2015. -- ST PHOTO: SEAH KWANG PENG

By Toh Ting Wei

SINGAPORE - Singapore's wushu exponents were made to wait for a medal on the second day of competition at the Singapore Expo Hall 2 on Sunday.

But when Zoe Mui clinched the gold in the women's changquan (optional) event - the second-last competition of the day - at around 9pm, she earned rapturous cheers from the crowd and ensured Singapore will not leave the day empty-handed.

The 17-year-old scored 9.71 to leapfrog to the top of the standings. Her victory was confirmed when Myanmar exponent Sandi Oo - who took to the floor last - failed to overtake her, scoring 9.70 to finish in second place.

Vietnam's Duong Thuy Vi scored 9.69 to clinch bronze.

A delighted Zoe said: "I was really happy with my performance, and I felt as if I performed up to, if not better than, my standards in training.

"It feels refreshing to win a gold, and I am very happy."

In the final competition on Sunday, Yong Yi Xiang delivered an invigorating performance in the men's cudgel event to also score 9.71. He was unlucky to find his opponents also in fine form.

He eventually settled for bronze, with Indonesia's Achmad Hulaefi scoring 9.73 to win gold. Vietnam's Tran Xuan Hiep came in second with 9.72.

Lin Yi Qiang also added a bronze in the men's 65kg sanda event, after falling 0-2 to Myanmar's Kyaw Lin Tun in the semi-finals.

[GeneChing]

A lot of vids. Official vids. All on www.youtube.com/user/SingaporeSports/videos.

Check out the Pencak Silat and Sepak Takraw. There's boxing, gymnastics, ping pong and more... even billiards. Unfortunately the Wushu is way at the bottom.

I'm just cherry-picking Men's Duel Event - Weapon, because it's always one of my favs. If anyone bothers to go through these and finds some good ones, please post them here.