KUALA LUMPUR – National karate champ R. Sharmendran has been chosen to be the flag bearer at the upcoming 32nd Cambodia SEA Games from May 5 to 17.
Sharmendran was selected as he is one of the medal prospects in Cambodia this year, in addition to his experience with collecting gold medals in previous editions of the games.
The 30-year-old athlete will be chasing his fourth consecutive SEA Games gold medal in the men’s 75kg kumite category, after winning in Kuala Lumpur 2017, Philippines 2019, and Vietnam 2021.
In a statement, Olympic Council of Malaysia president Tan Sri Mohamad Norza Zakaria said that after reviewing the list that included seven other nominees, Sharmendran was selected based on his medal prospects and experience.
He now becomes the second karate athlete to be the Jalur Gemilang flag bearer at the SEA Games, after R. Puvaneswaran in Hanoi at the 22nd edition in 2003.
In the previous SEA games in Hanoi, the honour of being the flag bearer was given to national diver Nur Dhabitah Sabri, following her impressive performance at the Tokyo Olympics despite missing out on a medal.
With the national contingent set to depart for Phnom Penh soon, chef de mission Datuk Mohd Nasir Ali reminded the national athletes to take precautions and stay healthy amid the hot weather and haze.
The medal target for the 677 athletes will be announced on April 30 during the flag handover ceremony, which will also be officiated by Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh. – The Vibes, April 27, 2023.
