Fadhil Yunus
The national karate team comprising 12 athletes and three officials led by two bronze medallists received a warm welcome home following their impressive performance during the 32nd Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) in Phnom Penh,Cambodia yesterday.
Brunei athlete Muhd Harith bin Dahlan bagged bronze in the men’s kumite under-55 kilogramme (kg) event while his compatriot Mohd Izzudin Irfan bin Mohd Faisal won bronze in the men’s kumite above-84kg event.
Muhd Harith said, “I feel proud to be able to give a good name to the country through karate in the men’s kumite under-55kg event.” He continued, “This is the first time that I competed in the SEA Games and I succeeded in attaining my first medal.”
The country’s latest product called his bronze medal win as the finest achievement in his sporting career.
“It was a difficult test but I managed to win 6-2 against my Laotian opponent and this is my biggest achievement.”
The karate talent also said his past experiences joining overseas meets helped him to overcome fear adding that he last joined a prestigious competition in Jakarta.
He also shared plans of joining the Asian Games and the Asian Indoor Games in the near future.
Muhd Harith, who has been active in the sport for six years, said he trained three times per day for over a year.
Permanent Secretary (Sports) at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports Pengiran Mohd Amirrizal bin Pengiran Haji Mahmud welcomed the contingent and presented sashes to the bronze medallists at the Brunei International Airport.
