KUALA LUMPUR – Changes to the wushu format for the Bangkok 2025 SEA Games will not hinder the national team’s preparations, assured head coach Koo Chee Zhong.
Chee Zhong addressed concerns following reports that the Malaysian Wushu Federation (MWF) had scaled down its gold medal target to just one for the upcoming games.
The adjustment comes after the SEA Games Federation decided to merge three wushu events into one, specifically in the taolu discipline (bare hands and weapons categories).
The unexpected format change has raised doubts about the Malaysian athletes’ ability to adapt to this revised structure.
However, Chee Zhong remained optimistic, highlighting that the changes could ultimately aid preparations for the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, which may adopt a similar structure.
“I want to approach this positively. While the format change may affect our medal prospects at the SEA Games, it doesn’t mean our athletes aren’t ready or capable of adapting,” Chee Zhong told Scoop.
“The change won’t disrupt our preparations. I can assure you that our athletes are adapting well and becoming more versatile.
“This format is similar to what was implemented at the China National Games this year and could potentially be used at the 2026 Asian Games. This gives us an early start to prepare and ensure we’re ready.”
Chee Zhong also praised the athletes’ determination, noting that the revised format had motivated them to push their limits.
“The coaching team has worked hard to align training with the demands of the new format, ensuring the athletes are well-prepared for upcoming competitions,” he added.
Chee Zhong revealed that the coaching team is banking on emerging talent from the back-up programme while scouting additional prospects to strengthen the squad.
Key events such as the Asian Junior Wushu Championships, scheduled for next July in China, will serve as crucial testing grounds for these athletes.
“We’re in a transitional phase as some senior athletes are nearing retirement, but we still have veterans to guide the younger generation,” Chee Zhong said.
“I can’t specify the number of new talents we are scouting, but we are committed to collaborating with the back-up athletes’ programme.
“Many athletes from the back-up programme have delivered outstanding results in this year’s tournaments. They deserve to be elevated to more challenging events next year.
“To prepare them, we plan to organise one or two national-level mock competitions to simulate the intensity of the SEA Games.”
At the 2023 Cambodia SEA Games, Malaysia’s wushu team secured two gold medals, both clinched by Tan Cheong Min in the women’s taolu events (nanquan and nandao-nangun), alongside two silvers and six bronzes. — December 1, 2024
