Tough hurdle for Pei Yao as debut Asian Games campaign ends

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian teen Lim Pei Yao's debut at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games concluded on Thursday when she failed to advance to the final of the women's modern pentathlon. The 16-year-old recorded 27th place in the obstacle race, 13th in swimming, 15th in laser run, and 13th in fencing direct elimination round at Anjo Sports Park.

This is the first appearance of modern pentathlon in the Asian Games, and Malaysia's preparation for the event was complicated by the absence of an obstacle course in the country. The national coach, Nik Lini Hayati Nik Kazem, explained that the team's limited experience in the new discipline, along with Pei Yao's recovery from a shoulder injury sustained during the last SEA Games, made the competition particularly challenging.

Nik Lini noted that the team trained in a gym due to the lack of an obstacle course in Malaysia. Pei Yao had shoulder surgery in January following an injury at the previous SEA Games, and her team arrived early in Japan to help her adapt to the conditions. Despite her young age, Pei Yao completed six of the seven obstacles, which her coach viewed as an important step in her recovery.

He emphasized that they only aimed for her to complete the obstacle course, rather than focus on achieving a specific time. Now, attention shifts to Aw Jian Ting, who will begin Malaysia's men's campaign in the modern pentathlon on Friday. Coach Nik Lini stated that the team used Thursday's women's competition to observe the strategies employed by other competitors and intended to incorporate some of those lessons when Jian Ting competes.