KUCHING: The Sarawak judo team is set to participate in the Taipei Judo Open 2023, which will take place in Taipei from July 1-2.
The team consists of nine members, including seven judokas and two officials.
The judokas representing Sarawak are Voon Xue Jie, Soh Yew Ing, Tan Kok Hong, Voon Xue Jii, Geraldine, Tan Xin Hong, and Brenton Sim, who will join the team in Taiwan as he is currently working there.
Accompanying them will be a coach and a team manager.
Sarawak Judo Association (SJA) secretary Nyam Sze Yuang said that the trip is sponsored by the Sarawak Sports Corporation (SSC) and their new president Dato Sri Datuk Lau Kueng Chai.
The purpose of the trip is to provide the judo players with exposure to high-level competitions.
Nyam added that they aim to expose players with potential, such as Soh Yew Ting, 27, Tan Kok Hong, 23, and Voon Xue Jia, who have exceeded the eligibility age for Sukma, to a higher level of competition, with the hope of eventually being selected for the SEA Games squad.
On the other hand, younger judokas like Geraldine Chong Sze Le, Leh Hon Fung, Tan Xin Hung 19, Cheryl Chew, and Abrienda Chan will gain valuable experience for the upcoming Sukma 2024.
During the previous Sukma event held in Kuala Lumpur in 2022, the Voon sisters (Xie Zhui and Xie Jia) and Tan Kook Hung won silver medals, while Cheryl Chew secured a bronze medal.
The Taipei Judo Open will feature participants from Australia, Indonesia, France, Hong Kong, India, Kazakhstan, Macau, Nepal, the Philippines, South Korea, Romania, Samoa, Sri Lanka, the United States, Taiwan, and Malaysia.
Following the Taipei trip, the team will take part in the National Junior Judo Championships 2023, scheduled to be held at Plaza Pelangi in Johor Baru on July 18 and 20.
A flag presentation ceremony for the Taiwan trip was held at the State Stadium on June 14, with Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports Dato Gerald Rentap Jabu presenting the flag to Lau.
Also present was SSC CEO Awang Putrayusrie bin Haji Awang Redzuan.
