Wushu squad to focus on psychological strength in Hangzhou Asian Games

PHNOM PENH – The Malaysian Wushu Federation will focus on athletes’ psychological strength in facing the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games next September.

Its president Datuk Chong Kim Fatt said based on the performance of the national wushu athletes at the 2023 SEA Games here, lack of self-confidence resulted in failures to put on consistent performances.

He said that due to this weakness, some athletes who had the potential to win gold medals faltered and made inappropriate mistakes that affected the collection of points.

“For events that combine disciplines, psychological strength is important, apart from skills and stamina. We find that we are a little lacking from a psychological point. This is a critical issue for us and should be improved.

“After this, we will continue to prepare a team for the Asian Games. I will bring this problem to the National Sports Council and National Sports Institute because psychology is important to gain self-confidence,” he said.

At the same time, he expects more help and support from the NSC to ensure his side can unearth more back-up athletes to be polished ahead of the 2027 SEA Games, which will see Malaysia as the host.

At the 2025 SEA Games in Thailand, Kim Fatt expects the line-up of national athletes, especially those who have won medals, to achieve better success.

In the meantime, he said the national wushu squad also needs the touch of a full-time coach from China, considering that the countries that achieved better success here all used the services of coaches from the republic.

“We want a coach from China, not just because he is good, but this issue is akin to teaching our own children. It is difficult for us to teach them, but others can teach our children because they listen to the reprimands given. That is a tradition in our sport,” he said.

Overall, the national wushu squad brought home two gold, two silver, and five bronze medals at the 2023 SEA Games, with Tan Cheong Min stealing the limelight after winning the women’s nanquan and women’s nandao and nangun gold at her debut. – Bernama, May 13, 2023