Wushu hands Malaysia, Singapore first golds

Singapore's Yong Yi Xiang triumphs in wushu at the 2019 SEA Games on Sunday. (CNA/Matthew Mohan)

Wushu exponent Yong Yi Xiang won Singapore’s first gold medal at the 30th Southeast Asian Games in the men’s changquan on Sunday while Malaysia likewise earned its first top podium finish via the same sport courtesy of Loh Choon How in the men’s taijiquan event held at the World Trade Center in Pasay City.

Yong scored a total of 9.70 while Malaysia’s Wong Weng Son totaled 9.68 for the silver. Vietnam’s Tran Xuan Hiep settled for bronze.

Defending champion and Yong’s teammate Jowen Lim finished sixth.

“I felt that it was a good performance of my usual training standards, definitely there’s areas for improvements especially looking at the other high-level athletes from other Southeast Asian countries,” Yong told Channel News Asia.

“I’m very shocked and still a bit disbelief (to be Singapore’s first Games gold medalist). But I’m really very honored and thankful for this opportunity. I really felt that if I could deliver my best performance, that would really be the most I can ask for. Doing Singapore proud is an extra honour that I’m really really grateful for,” said Yong.

Choon How, 26, collected 9.68 points overall, relegating Brunei’s Heng Yu Hosea Wong (9.59 points) to second place while the Philippines’ Daniel Parantac picked up the bronze after amassing 9.56 points. (CNA, Bernama)