Putera Arsyad Uses His Long Legs To Bag Gold

KUCHING, Aug 17 (Bernama) -- Having long legs come into good use for Pahang taekwondo exponent Putera Arsyad Danish Mohd Afrizan after he successfully grabbed the gold medal in the men's 68 kilogramme (kg) event of the Malaysian Games (SUKMA) 2024 which took place at Perpaduan Stadium here tonight.

The win also gave Pahang's first gold medal in taekwondo in this edition, which inspired the state’s contingent. 

In the closely-match final, 193 cm tall Putera Arsyad, made full use of his long legs score precious points to beat Joseph Wong Shou Ho of Sarawak 2-1.

The 18-year-old athlete who made his SUKMA debut admitted that the advantage is one of the main weapons to defeat his challengers, especially when facing shorter opponents.

"My style deploys a lot of distance strikes because I have long legs and against shorter opponents. So that's why I have to keep my distance, I think the advantage of long legs help me a lot," he said when met here.

Commenting further, Putera Arsyad described his achievement as a dream come true as the 21st edition of SUKMA was his biggest competition throughout his career as an athlete.

The bronze medal of the event was shared between Muhammad Haziq Haikal Mohd Khalid of Terengganu and Federal Territory representative Muhammad Iz'aan Haziq Nor Nasrul.

In the meantime, Terengganu also clinched the first gold through Hoo Ee Jean who defeated Yap Pui Teng from Penang in the gold medal match of the women's 57kg event.

Completing the podium positions are host representatives Eileen Li Ching Chang and Norhanis Erna Natasha Mohd Hufzaini from Perak.

Taekwondo will continue to present exciting actions with six gold medals up for grab tomorrow.

-- BERNAMA