Brunei taekwondo team yesterday returned to a warm reception after winning bronze medal at the 21st Malaysian Games (SUKMA XXI). 

The team was welcomed by Permanent Secretary (Sports) at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports Pengiran Mohd Amirrizal bin Pengiran Haji Mahmud and officials from the ministry. 

The country’s only bronze medal in taekwondo came from Muhammad Abrar bin Haji Bakar in the kyorugi fin weight (no more than 54 kilogrammes).

In an interview, Muhammad Abrar recalled his semi-final match where he lost.

“I injured my ankle in my first game against the Terengganu opponent. Despite the injury, I managed to defeat my next opponent from Selangor.

“I was having some difficulties walking during the semi-finals and I sprained my ankle again. Therefore I couldn’t compete 100 per cent.

“Nonetheless, I felt blessed to be able to achieve a bronze medal for Brunei,” he said.

He added, “Each opponent had different skills, so I needed to come up with different strategies to overcome each of them.” – James Kon.

-- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin