KUALA LUMPUR — The Malaysia Karate Federation (Makaf) remains hopeful that Thailand, as host nation of the 2025 SEA Games, will retain the men’s and women’s team kata events in next year’s biennial competition.
Makaf Secretary General, Mohd Razlan Shah, expressed concern that if Thailand remains firm in its stance, it could negatively impact Makaf’s planning, particularly in terms of medal targets.
Currently, Thailand has agreed to host only 15 events, with just two karate kata events – the men’s and women’s individual kata.
Thus, the total number of events in next year’s competition will be fewer than the 17 gold medals offered at the 2023 edition in Cambodia.
The national karate squad once clinched gold in the team kata event through the trio of Thomson Hoe, Ivan Oh, and Emmanuel Leong at the 2019 edition in the Philippines.
However, in the following two editions, Vietnam 2021 and Cambodia 2023 respectively, the karate squad settled for silver or bronze in the kata event.
For the record, the national karate squad brought home four gold, two silver, and four bronze medals at the Cambodia SEA Games last year.
This achievement placed Makaf among the associations that contributed the most gold medals to Malaysia’s tally at the regional multi-sport event.
“Everyone is aware that the number of karate events has been reduced. In fact, karate was initially excluded from the SEA Games before being reinstated.
“Typically, there are 17 events, but two have already been dropped. Discussions are still ongoing to reinstate these events, and we are hopeful that all 17 will remain, allowing us to fully pursue our medal targets.
“Our kata squad has consistently excelled at the Asian level, particularly in the team events, where we strongly focus. Notably, our women’s team secured silver at the Asian Games.
“It would be a significant setback for us if these events are excluded,” said Razlan after attending the Working Committee Meeting with the National Sports Council (NSC) in Bukit Jalil earlier today.
At the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games, the national karate squad earned two silver medals in the individual and team kata events.
Lovelly Anne Robberth delivered an impressive performance, excelling in the individual event and teaming up with Niathalia Sherawinnie and Naccy Nelly Evvaferra to secure silver in the team category. – December 10, 2024