KUALA LUMPUR – The 20th Malaysia Games (Sukma) Special Technical Committee has clarified its decision to present the bronze medal to Zuhair Zulkifli of Sabah in the karate men’s over 84kg individual kumite category at Bukit Jalil National Stadium yesterday.
In a statement, the National Sports Council said the medal was initially won by Zuhair’s opponent, Sarawak’s P. Barath Raj.
However, following an official complaint filed by the Sabah contingent with the Karate Sports Technical Jury, the medal was then awarded to Zuhair.
“The Sabah contingent filed a complaint against Barath Raj’s final kick against Zuhair that earned him three points to win the match, 9-7.
“After reviewing the match footage, the Karate Sports Technical Jury found that the kick was made after regulation time ended and the chief technical jury has decided that Bharat Raj’s victory is annulled,” read the statement.
The grand jury of appeal, however, had not received any follow-up protest from the Sarawak team manager. – The Vibes, September 17, 2022
