KUALA LUMPUR: After retiring five years ago, fencer Yu Peng Kean is set to make a highly anticipated Sea Games comeback in Hanoi this week.
Peng Kean was part of the men's sabre team that won gold at the 2011 Palembang Sea Games and also bronze in the individual sabre.
He went on to compete at the London Olympics a year later but was troubled by knee injuries since then, leading to several surgeries.
Peng Kean, who was able to win two bronze at the 2015 Singapore Sea Games, had hoped to compete on home ground at the 2017 Kuala Lumpur Sea Games but was forced to announce his retirement in February that year due to worsening injuries.
Now, the 31-year-old hopes to help the men's team finish in the medals in Hanoi.
"I am excited to be here as I have not competed for a long time.
"There is some pressure but it is not the same as it was before. This time I hope to enjoy competing and try my best to bring home something.
"I believe hosts Vietnam will be very strong because they have continued to compete and never stopped."
Malaysian fencers won two silver and one bronze at the 2019 Manila Sea Games.