Judo

Sarawak had to settle for only a silver in judo through Mohd Mazihi in the +90kg category when he lost to national heavyweight champion Ching Shiang Fui of Sabah in the final held in Besut yesterday.

The other judokas, who were less experienced, failed to win any medals. Coach K. Thevaraj, who was disappointed with the failure to win any gold medals, said their hopeful Christina Sebarang, a national champion, reached the match for third placing but she, who used to fight in the 45kg, had to fight her opponent in the -48kg who is heavier than her.

“I’m very disappointed with my failure to deliver a gold (for my State) but I must say I’m happy with the way my players fought especially those who could not even get the bronze.

“The way they fought impressed the audience … give them more exposures (as they are lacking in experience when compared to their opponents from the other states) … say one or two years more of training, they could deliver in the next Sukma,” said Thevaraj.

The Penang-born Sarawak coach also lamented that for the next Sukma, players like Christina and Mazihi, who are both 23, will be overage.