Cheau Xuen just thankful for surprise gold

INCHEON: Tai Cheau Xuen was in a state of shock and struggled to speak to the media.

But she can certainly be forgiven for being tongue-tied. After all, she delivered the first gold for Malaysia as the action got under way at the Incheon Asian Games on Saturday.

A bronze medallist in Guangzhou four years ago, Cheau Xuen put up a stunning display in the women’s nanquan and nandao all-round to amass 19.23 points and glory at the Ganghwa Dolmens Gymnasium.

She was only ranked third after scoring 9.62 points in the nandao, but a near-flawless performance in the nanquan gave her 9.61 points to storm past early leader and favourite Wei Hong of China.

Indonesia’s Juwita Niza Wasni won the silver with 19.19 points while Wei Hong fumbled with her landing in the nanquan and had to be satisfied with the bronze with a 19.15 total.

It was the first time a Chinese exponent failed to win a gold in Asiad history since wushu was introduced in Beijing in 1990.

Diana Bong, the other Malaysian representative, ended up last in the 12-contestant field with 18.25 points after an error-strewn display.

Having performed earlier, the Negri Sembilan-born Cheau Xuen stared blankly at the scoreboard after the final exponent had finished her routine. She just could not believe that she had won.

“I certainly didn’t expect the gold, maybe a medal if I had performed my best. I wish to thank my coaches, the Wushu Federation of Malaysia (WFM), the National Sports Council (NSC), my family and friends for the support and encouragement.

“I don’t know what to say ... This is just totally unexpected,” said Cheau Xuen, who will turn 23 on Oct 2.

Cheau Xuen, who will pick up RM80,000 from the NSC, can now look forward to a nice birthday celebration when she returns home next week as she has continued wushu’s strong tradition of delivering a gold for Malaysia in the Asiad.

Ho Ro Bin started the ball rolling by winning gold in the men’s nanquan and nandao all-round in Busan in 2002. Chai Fong Ying then triumphed in the taijijian and taijiquan all-round in Doha in 2006 and again in Guangzhou in 2010.

Wei Hong was gracious in defeat.

“It’s good to see the other Asian countries have improved. I did my best today,” she said.

There is another chance for Malaysia to grab gold on Sunday when Phoon Eyin starts her routine in the women’s jianshu and qiangshu.

-thestar