SIBU: The Sarawak Judo Association (SJA) is aiming to win at least three gold medals as it makes its initial preparations for the Malaysia Games (SUKMA) to be held in Selangor next year.
Its President, Datuk Seri Lau Kueng Chai, said they will not give up in their efforts to create the historic success.
“We won a gold medal at SUKMA 2011 and last year, we again managed to collect a gold at SUKMA Sarawak.
“We have set a target for SUKMA Selangor 2026 and believe that the dream of winning at least three gold medals is achievable,” he told reporters at the flag handover ceremony conducted recently by Bawang Assan Assemblyman, Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh, to the state team for the National Judo Championship in Penang which began on Sept 18 and ends on Sept 21.
The SJA contingent has 28 athletes, with 15 from Kuching, eight from Sibu and two from Miri, participating in the championship.
To strengthen the state squad, Lau said they had regularly sent the team on exposure tours to gain the necessary experience and mental strength.
“Hopefully through such exposure and experience, the state team will rise up at the most important time,” he explained, reminding the athletes to train and work hard at the upcoming events.
He said the national judo championship would be used as a platform to measure their standards and fighting skills.
“Those who get excellent results will be selected as official judokas for SUKMA Selangor next year,” he said.
Meanwhile, Lau is pleased to note that SJA Sibu has got a new coach, Igarashi Jumpei, who will be based in Sibu Jaya where judo classes will be conducted.
He said that the development of judo at the grassroots level is increasing with more and more people taking up the sport.
“Currently, there are about 70 judo trainees at the Judo Centre in Sibu Jaya and most of them come from surrounding schools and residential areas,” he added.
Those interested can contact Anderson Venus at 016-8658689.
