LABUAN: Labuan Wushu Association delivered an impressive performance at the 2025 Malaysia “Sanda King” (Gan Kong Lee Cup), finishing 4th overall among 15 participating teams. The competition, which included 134 athletes from across Malaysia, took place recently in Seremban, Negeri Sembilan.
Team Labuan Federal Territory took nine athletes and returned home with 3 gold, 4 silver, and 2 bronze medals.
The athletes who competed in various categories were Nur Jailin Binti Abdullah (gold in the U12-14 female 36kg category), Nursyafina Binti Abdullah (gold in U12-14 female 42kg category), Khatijah Binti Ubay (gold in the U15-17 female 52kg category), Nur Fatimah Binti Abdullah (silver in the U18 female 48kg category), Muhammad Amirul (bronze in the U15-17 male 56kg category), Andre Aidan Chang (silver in the U15-17 male 65kg category), Derek Tan Zi En (silver in the U18 male 48kg category), Musimar Bin Abdullah (bronze in the U18 male 52kg category), Kamarul Iqhwan Asiran (silver in the U18 male 56kg category).
“What makes this competition more remarkable is the fact that two of the athletes are stateless, a status that often presents numerous challenges in the world of sports”, said team manager and honorary secretary Tan Chee Haw.
The stateless athletes are Muhammad Amirul (U15-17 male 56kg bronze medallist), and Khatijah Binti Ubay (U15-17 female 52kg gold medallist).
“Stateless individuals are not recognised by countries, meaning they lack proper identification, cannot access formal education or healthcare, and ineligible to open bank accounts or secure legal employment,” Chee Haw added.
“Without guidance, many in their situation may lose direction. We bring them to BCG martial arts academy, where they receive proper education and martial arts training. We also focus on character building, nurturing self-esteem, humbleness, and discipline. We want them to be grateful for what they have, rather than just complaining about what they don’t.”
Coach and president, Grandmaster (Dr.) Alvin Chong, commented, “Even though we produced good results and placed 4th, we still need to assess their performance, analyse their competition, and improve their skills for the next game.”
Looking ahead, the team will focus on their next major competition, which is the National Junior Wushu Championship KPM-WFM, to be held in Seremban, Negeri Sembilan, from May 29 to June 2. – Kong
