World medal gives Ken Haw timely boost ahead of Asian Games
KUALA LUMPUR: National taekwondo exponent Chin Ken Haw may have secured his first world-level medal, but he's refusing to let the breakthrough raise expectations ahead of his Asian Games debut.
Kuala Lumpur - World taekwondo star Chin Ken Haw has earned his first medal at the international level, but he remains focused on his upcoming Asian Games debut. The 21-year-old Malaysian joined forces with Randy Owen Augustine and Yeap Zhi Bin to claim bronze in the men's Under-30 team category at the World Poomsae Championships in Chuncheon from September 16-20.
Despite losing to Taiwan in the semi-finals, the trio faced off against eventual champions South Korea in the bronze medal match. For Ken Haw, the victory was about gaining experience in both recognized and freestyle poomsae, the two disciplines that will be merged into the men's individual event at the Asian Games. The Sarawak native explained that the Asian Games will present a more formidable challenge, as both disciplines will be combined for the men's individual competition.
Ken Haw, who already secured a bronze in individual freestyle at the Thailand SEA Games last year, will be competing against Yow Mei Yee in the individual event at Toyohashi Gymnasium on October 1. Yow Mei Yee had previously been part of the Malaysian team that won recognized poomsae gold at the Thailand SEA Games alongside Seah Jing Ying and Wong Zin.
Malaysia's last individual poomsae medal at the Asian Games came in the form of Sara Yap Khim Wen, who claimed bronze for women's category in Jakarta 2018.
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