By Fitri Hazim Hazam
SHAH ALAM, June 5 — Karate athlete R. Shamendran has attributed the efforts and sacrifices he has endeavoured in the past 10 years to winning him the Selangor Athlete 2021 - 2022 title.
Conferred unto him during the Selangor Sports Awards yesterday, this is the first time he has been recognised on the state level, following his success at winning gold in the under 75 kg karate event during the recent 2023 SEA Games in Cambodia.
"This victory is all the more meaningful for me, after shouldering the responsibility of carrying the flag at the 2023 SEA Games. After representing Malaysia for 10 years, this award is truly special for me, in light of the hard work I put in to bring the nation glory via karate.
"Along the way, I had to make sacrifices like eschewing an ordinary life, dedicating my time to training, and being away from my family," Shamendran told reporters after the ceremony.
As part of the award, he received a RM10,000 cash prize, a trophy, and a certificate presented by Menteri Besar Dato' Seri Amirudin Shari, at Dewan Jubli Perak Sultan Abdul Aziz.
Shamendran came ahead of five other candidates for the title, including table tennis athlete Choong Javen, tenpin bowling athlete Tun Ameerul Luqman Tun Hasnul, shooting athlete Haritz Iklil, golf athlete Rhaasrikanesh Kanavathi, and swimming athlete Terence Ng Shin Jian.
He also expressed his motivation to strive harder for more achievements in karate, following this victory.
"This award has given me the renewed inspiration to pursue further successes and defend this championship again next year.
"All the nominees have remarkable achievements and undoubtedly provided fierce competition for this award, so I would like to congratulate them as well," Shamendran said.
He added he is currently making thorough preparations to face the upcoming Asian Games in September and October, which take place in Hangzhou, China.
[caption id="attachment_314174" align="aligncenter" width="767"]
Menteri Besar Dato' Seri Amirudin Shari (centre) with recipients of the Selangor Sports Awards 2021 - 2022, during the presentation ceremony at Dewan Jubli Perak Abdul Aziz in Shah Alam, on June 4, 2023. — Picture by ARIF MUHAMMAD/SELANGORKINI[/caption]
