YOUNGSTER Si Shin Peng is a star in the making. The 17-year-old son of a mechanic not only hopes to earn a national call-up soon but aspires to become a world champion one day.
Shin Peng showed his prowess at the just-concluded Asian Junior Championships in Brunei by contributing one of the six gold medals won by Malaysia.
The Melaka-born topped the boys’ 13-15 qiangshu (spear) competition with a 9.46 total.
Shin Peng, a gold medallist at last year’s Malaysia Games in Perak, also earned bronze in the changquan (bare hands) and jianshu (sword) events.
He was one of three Melaka-born exponents who won titles at the meet.
The others were Tammy Tan in the girls’ 16-18 qiangshu (9.45 points) and Bryan Ti in the boys 13-15 nandao (9.36).
Other gold medallists were Kelly Chin, who topped the girls’ 13- 15 jianshu and Alvyn Toh (boys’ 7-12 changquan and jianshu disciplines).
Shin Peng hopes to earn a national call-up after his Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia examinations this year.
“My dream is to represent the country in major competitions like the Sea Games, Asian Games and World Championships.
“I want to be a world champion one day but I will need to work hard to achieve it,” said Shin Peng yesterday.
Malaysia also bagged nine silver and five bronze to finish third overall out of 18 nations.
China were overall champions (12 gold), followed by Macau (seven gold).
MALAYSIA’S MEDALLISTS
Gold — Si Shin Peng (boys’ 16-18 qiangshu), Tammy Tan (girls’ 16-18 qiangshu), Kelly Chin (girls’ 13-15 jianshu), Bryan Ti (boys’ 13-15 nandao), Alvyn Toh (boys’ 7-12 changquan and jianshu);
Silver — Wong Kah Heng (boys’ 16-19 nangun and nanquan), Liang Khai Siang (boys’ 16-18 gunshu and daoshu), Lee Jia Rong (girls’ 16-18 gunshu), Kelly Chin (girls’ 13-15 qiangshu), Bryan Ti (boys’ 13-15 nanquan and nangun), Danish Aizad boys’ 13-15 daoshu);
Bronze — Si Shin Peng (boys’ 16-18 changquan and jianshu), Lee Jia Rong (girls’ 16-18 daoshu), Danish Aizad (boys’ 13-15 changquan), Lee Jia Ye (girls’ 7-12 gunshu).