รายละเอียดกระทู้

http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Community/2013/07/08/Seeing-things-in-a-new-light-Blind-judoka-shows-disability-is-no-barrier-to-claiming-victory-in-tour.aspx By JAROD LIM jarodlim@thestar.com.my Photos by SHAHRUL FAZRY DESPITE being blind, Murugan Kumar emerged champion in the men’s 55–66kg weight category in the 13th Eagle Cup XIII Judo Championship. Taking part for the first time, Murugan, from the Malaysian Association of the Blind (MAB), said he was pleased with his performance but did not expect to win. “I have been training since September 2011 and still have a lot to learn. However, I am happy that I won. Sportsmanship is the most important element in this competition,” he said. Murugan, who competed in the senior category, scored the winning point against Stephen Kua from SMJK Chong Hwa. Another participant, Hasnol Hassan, proved that age is not a barrier to taking part in the championship. The 55-year-old from Damai Perdana Judo Club, was the oldest participant. Hasnol, who competed in the Men’s 71–75 kg weight category, lost to Rainey Soh from the Taman Jaya Judo Club. “I think I can do better and will improve my techniques by trying out new moves. “My strength matches the other participants but I am just not as fast as them,” he said. Held at the Cheras Leisure Mall’s lower ground concourse, the Eagle Cup aims to prepare the participants for the upcoming National Judo Championship, National Junior Circuit as well as the Malaysia Games. It also aims to promote judo among the youth. A total of 123 participants from 12 clubs and schools were featured in 60 categories. Championship organising chairman David Goh said people from all walks of life could take up judo. “We welcome everyone. Currently, we have two participants from MAB participating in this Eagle Cup. It is all about sportsmanship and there are more participants this year,” he said. The championship was separated into the junior and senior categories. The senior category included shiai (sparring) weight event, shiai forward roll event, shiai open event and team event. The winners from the weight event will compete in the open event. Last year’s Eagle Cup overall champion, Lim Wai Kit from Taman Jaya Judo, emerged the overall champion again. “We are honing our skills in this Eagle Cup. It is a good platform to test our skills,” he said. In the senior women’s category, the overall champions were Lee Wei Vern from SMK Kuen Cheng and Haw Chiu Yee from Taman Jaya Judo Club. Both Chiu Yee and Wei Vern won three gold medals in the respective categories. The championship was sponsored by Tan Chong Group, Nestle Products Sdn Bhd, YTL Power Services Sdn Bhd, Fujifilm Sdn Bhd, Minang Cake House Sdn Bhd, Cheras Leisure Mall and other donors. In a recent development in the Malaysia Games, Chiu Yee bagged a silver in the women’s Under 48kg category while Lim Chin Kuan won silver in the men’s Under 73kg category. The team also won four bronze medals from Chong Siam Sim (under 63kg women), Choo Suet Yan (under 70kg women), Rebecca Yong (above 70kg women) and Eng Yen Hong (under 90kg men).