Taekwondo Returns To BJSS

TAEKWONDO, after a four-year lapse, is back in the Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS).

The newly registered national body Taekwondo Malaysia (TM) has convinced the Education Ministry to accept seven juniors — three girls and four boys — to be based at BJSS for a intensive training programme.

The girls are T. Thavakumarisha, Jasmin Nabila Sukardi and M. Mohana while the boys are Martyn Foo Yong Whey, Muhammad Alif Mohd Rosli, Muhammad Danial Mohd Mohd Azri and A. Navin. Except for Thava­kumarisha, Martyn and Muhammad Daniel, who are in Form Four, the others are Form Three students.

All seven were selected based on their performance in the National Junior championships in Kuala Lumpur last year

The chosen ones: The seven taekwondo exponents in BJSS.

 

BJSS vice-principal Suhaimi Sun Abdullah said there had been no intake of taekwondo exponents since 2008.

“Taekwondo was part of a crisis. But the principal officials from the newly registered TM have initiated a training programme for juniors.

“They identified the seven and we are pleased to accept them. They have been briefed on the rules and regulations in BJSS.

“We hope to see them progress in their taekwondo career as well as studies,’’ said Suhaimi.

Former international S. Saravanan is currently in charge of the training programme. Saravanan said he has yet to be appointed as the coach.

“But I am helping the exponents until TM appoints a coach. We have drawn up a five-day-a-week training programme. The programme is going on without any hitches. The exponents are also comfortable with the training programme,’’ said Saravanan.

Laying it out: Suhaimi (left) explaining the rules and regulations in BJSS to the taekwondo exponents.

 The morning sessions are from 6.30am to 8.30am while the evening sessions are from 4.30am to 6.30pm. There are also weekly fitness and gym exercises.

Mohana, a gold medallist in the welterweight category in last year’s National Junior championships, is from Kuala Lumpur. She has been active in taekwondo since her primary school days.

The 15-year-old Mohana said she was enjoying being part of BJSS.

“The teachers are very helpful. We also have night classes. We have gotten used to the programme in BJSS,’’ said Mohana.

Thavakumarisha, 16, who was a bronze medallist in the middleweight category in the National Junior championships, is from Kuala Lumpur. However she is expected to represent Terengganu in this year’s Malaysia Games in Kuantan, Pahang.

She has just returned from a training camp in Terengganu and says training with the BJSS junior programme is an excellent platform to improve her skills.

Kuala Lumpur’s Martyn, 16, has been appointed as the captain of the BJSS taekwondo team.

A second dan black belt holder, Martyn won the gold medal in the flyweight category in the National Junior championships.

“The training is systematic. We are going through the programme without any problem,’’ said Martyn.

However, TM has yet to identify the competitions for them. But Saravanan said there are two major international junior competitions this year.

“They are the Asian Juniors and World Juniors. There are also other local competitions. They will have to take part in competitions,’’ he added.