Syakilla eyeing early qualification to Tokyo

KUALA LUMPUR: Karate exponent Syakilla Salni Jefry Krisnan will begin her quest for an 2020 Tokyo Olympic berth next month.

She has been selected by the National Sports Council (NSC) and Malaysian Karate Federation (Makaf) to train and compete for qualifying points from next month until April.

The former Asian Games gold medallist will train and spar in Amsterdam with exponents from that country.

She will also compete in the K1 Premier League tournaments in Dubai (Feb 15-17) and Rabat, Morocco (Mar 19-21) as well as the K1 Series A competition in Salzburg, Austria (Mar 1-3), which all offer ranking points.

Syakilla, who discussed the stint with NSC director general Datuk Ahmad Shapawi Ismail and officials from Makaf in Bukit Jalil today, said she is determined to make the best of the upcoming programme. Karate is making its Olympic debut at the Tokyo edition

"I feel happy and blessed to receive this opportunity as not everyone gets this chance," said the 26-year-old.

"It is a good plan because I get to train with world class athletes and to gain exposure. It is a bit hard to get suitable sparring partners for me here.

"My goal is to score as many points as possible from these three tournaments and secure early qualification in the first phase and only later focus on the qualifying tournaments.

Syakilla, who will compete in the kumite 55kg class, can achieve early qualification if she is ranked in the top-four in her category on April 6 next year.

Failing that, exponents can earn a berth at the Paris Qualifying tournament on May 8-10, where two slots are up for grabs, and lastly at the Asian qualifier where three slots are available.

Only exponents ranked 50 and above will be able to compete in the two qualifying tournaments. Syakilla is currently ranked 51st in the Olympic qualifying standings.

NSC listed Prem Kumar Selvam, A. Somanroy and P. Madhuri as the other exponents in with a chance of Olympic qualification.

Meanwhile, Syakilla, who earlier this month was reported to have suffered a rift with new national coach Ali Reza Souleymani, rubbished such claims.

"I do not have any issues with the coach (Ali), we are good," added Syakilla.

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