ALTHOUGH this was his first Malaysian Games (Sukma) competition, Muhammad Danish Aizad Mohd Firdaus Chua made Penang proud by delivering the state’s first medal in the Sukma 2018 in Perak.
Wushu athlete Muhammad Danish Aizad, 14, from SMK Permatang Rawa, bagged the silver medal in the Men’s Gunshu event this morning, held at the Perak Matriculation College in Gopeng.
He earned 9.45 points defeating Sarawak’s Clement Thian, who garnered 9.43 points.
Melaka’s Tan Cheong Wan, who obtained 9.58 points, grabbed the gold medal.
“This victory came a surprise as I did not expect anything.
“I am very happy that I managed to win the silver medal for my state,” he said.
Muhammad Danish Aizad said he first took up wushu when he was six.
He won the gold medal in the Under-15 World Junior Championship in Brazil, also in the Gunshu event, two months ago.
Meanwhile in the Sanda event, wushu exponents Teh Chee Chong and Mohd Amirul Husni Zabidi qualified for the semi-finals in the Men’s 56kg and Men’s 70kg respectively.
In the quarter-finals, Teh confidently defeated Terengganu’s Wan Asmazaidi Amin Wan Rosmadi.
Mohd Amirul Husni also outmatched his Sarawak opponent Daniel Anak Manggin to qualify for the semi-finals.
Penang Youths and Sports Committee chairman Soon Lip Chee and Penang Sports Council director Frederick Tan cheered for the Penang team during the Games.
They also visited the National Sports Institute of Malaysia (ISN) recovery centre near Stadium Indera Mulia to give words of encouragement to the state athletes.
Story by Christopher Tan
Pix by Darwina Mohd Daud