KUALA LUMPUR – The Malaysian dancesport contingent is confident of securing a gold and a silver medal at the Cambodia SEA Games.
The country’s hope for a gold medal comes through breakdancer Lego Sam, or Sam Jee Lek, who won a gold at the 2019 edition in Philippines when the sport was first introduced at the biennial Games.
In Hanoi, Vietnam last year, Lego Sam was not able to defend his gold medal, as only the standard and Latin American disciplines were contested.
Malaysia came home with one bronze medal, which was won through the standard dance category.
With the Cambodia Games only having the breakdancing category this time, Malaysia is sending three athletes to Phnom Penh.
Speaking to The Vibes, dancesport team manager Chua Zjen Fong said the team’s training has been going well and the team will leave for Cambodia on May 14.
“We don’t have a centralised training camp as the athletes will be competing in individual events.
“Feedback from the dancers have been positive, and we hope everything goes according to plan,” said Chua, who is also Malaysian Dancesport Federation deputy president.
Besides Lego Sam, B-boy Khenobu (Mohammad Faridh Mohd Yasin) will be competing in the men’s category, while B-girl (Chong Yan Lin) will be the sole female dancer and is poised to win the silver medal.
“Both Lego Sam and Khenobu performed well at the Breaking for Gold World Series in Brazil recently, particularly Lego Sam who also collected 100 Olympic qualifier points,” said Chua.
In terms of competition, Chua said neighbours Vietnam and Philippines look formidable, as the nations have raked in medals in previous games.
In the 2019 Games, hosts Philippines won 10 gold medals while Vietnam took home two. In Hanoi last year, both countries won five gold medals respectively.
The Malaysia contingent has set a target of 40 gold, 37 silver, and 64 bronze medals at the Cambodia Games, higher than last year’s takeaway of 39 gold, 45 silver, and 90 bronze medals. – The Vibes, May 3, 2023
