KUALA LUMPUR – Negri Sembilan athlete Leong Yoke Kuan’s two-year wait for a gold medal in the Malaysia Games (Sukma) ended when he won the e-sports Pro Evolution Soccer 2021’s Singles event here today.
E-sports in the Sukma was to have made its maiden appearance in the 2020 edition, but it was not held due to the raging Covid-19 pandemic then.
The 23-year-old put on a scintillating performance to beat nearest challenger, Terengganu’s Muhammad Rafiq Firdaus Junus @ Ramli 2-1.
Muhammad Hariz Hazmi Hakimin of Kedah won the bronze.
Yoke Kuan, who is fondly known as Yoke, said he did not expect to win, as he had lost in the upper bracket final playoff against the same opponent 0-2.
“I did not expect to be the champion, so it was a dream come true the minute whistle was blown, and I had made it because I had already lost to him (Rafiq) in the upper bracket final playoff 1 vs 1. The wait since 2020 has been worth it because I thought I would not have the opportunity to compete in the Sukma.
“Everyone can play, but I think coping under pressure and playing under pressure is the hardest part. However, I managed to prove it. So, I want to thank my Negri Sembilan e-sports teammates,” he said when met by reporters after his feat at Quill City Mall here.
The age limit for the Sukma is 21, but it was raised to 23 for the 2022 edition because the 2020 edition that was to be held in Johor was cancelled due to the pandemic.
Yoke Kuan, who was visibly moved by the victory to the point of becoming teary-eyed, said he only had about nine months to train to represent Negri Sembilan in the competition so he made the most of the opportunity.
Born in Seremban, Negri Sembilan, he shared that he has been involved in e-sports since he was 19 and often entered minor tournaments to build himself up to this level. – Bernama, September 19, 2022
