Kicking off the competition were the taolu wushu events. In the men’s dulian, which is a doubles or group performance with weapons, gold went to Myanmar’s duo of Kyaw Zin Thit and Wai Phyo Aung.
The Philippines trio of Daniel Parantac, John Keithley Chan and Norlence Ardee Catolico secured silver, while the group of three from Thailand – Baramee Kulsawadmongkol, Pitaya Sae Yang and Sujinda Sae Yang – secured bronze.
Changquan men took to the mat next showcasing fight-like movements with speed and power. It was a close battle as all three medalists were separated by only 0.01 points from each other. Aung Si Thu of Myanmar won gold with 9.70 points, leaving Achmad Hulaefi of Indonesia with silver Vietnam’s Xuan Hiep Tran with third.
The men’s taijiquan gave Daniel Parantac of the Philippines a chance to double his personal tally as he won silver to add to his gold from dulian. Taijiquan is a display of slow, relaxed but precise movements which looked almost like a dance in the women’s event as seen in Indonesia’s Lindswell’s performance that won her gold.
Women’s nanquan, which is vigorous and athletic with low stances and intricate hand movements, saw Malaysia score a double as gold went to Diana Bong Siong Lin and bronze to Cheau Xuen Tai. Vietnam’s Minh Phuong Bui took silver.
“It’s great to win the first gold for Malaysia. I started out feeling pressured because I knew what was expected of me by my country, but it wasn’t until I saw my score (9.70) that I realised I was in the lead,” said Diana Bong who last won gold at the 2009 SEA Games in Laos.
Swords were drawn for the Jianshu events, and Vietnam’s Duong Thuy Vi outdid her opponents who wielded straight double-edged weapons.
The afternoon session was dedicated to Sanshou, 48kg for both the men’s and women’s preliminary and quarterfinal rounds. Sanshou is a combat style, self-defense martial art competition. Athletes who make it through to the next round will have a one-day break to prepare for their semi-final bouts on December 9, and the final on December 10.
Wushu will continue on December 8 at Wunna Theikdi Indoor Stadium (A) at 9:00am with more taolu events and sanshou 52kg bouts.
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