NATIONAL karate exponent S. Prem Kumar had to overcome two tough foes - Filipino Norman Montalvo and a partisan home crowd - en route to clinching the men’s Under-55kg kumite gold in the Philippines Sea Games yesterday.
Credit to Prem for staying calm to notch a comfortable 6-1 win and silence both Norman and the home crowd with a masterful performance at the World Trade Centre in Manila.
This is his first Sea Games gold, having bagged a bronze on his debut in Kuala Lumpur two years ago.
‘Obviously, I’m very happy. I lost to the same exponent at KL2017 on home ground.
‘Today (yesterday), I managed to beat him on his own turf,’ said Prem.
‘I knew the crowd would be a factor today but I was already well-prepared, both physically and mentally.
‘I took it all positively and imagined that the crowd was cheering for me.’
His win saw Malaysia lift the Under-55kg gold for the first time since R. Loganesha triumphed at the 2011 Indonesia Games.
Prem dedicated the victory to his long-time mentor P. Arivalagan, who is also a former national coach.
‘I have to thank master Arivalagan for his guidance over the years. Without him, I wouldn’t be here.
‘I’m very thankful to have a master like him... I dedicate this gold to him,’ said Prem.
Malaysia also bagged a silver in men’s individual kata through Ooi San Hong.
San Hong (25.0) lost to Indonesia's Ahmad Zigi Zaresta Yuda (25.26) in the final.