HANOI, May 12 — Despite being aware they will face challenges when new rules are fully implemented in the competition at the 31st SEA Games, the national pencak silat squad are not letting this affect their focus in carrying out their mission to win two gold medals in combat events.
Combat silat coach Mazlan Shaari said his charges had become more accustomed to the new rules, which will be first adopted in Hanoi, and that they would be able to achieve the target.
"Our target is two gold medals ... InsyaAllah, we can achieve (it)," he said when met at the Bac Tu Liem Sporting Center here.
Among the new rules are that the exponents are allowed to rain more blows and kicks against opponents, including using elbows and knees, except to the head, knees and genitals.
In addition, the drop points will only be recorded by the competition leader while the points awarded by the jury line-up will have to get the approval of more than two jurors, which will now see only three jurors on duty as compared to five previously.
The new rules, which makes pencak silat events more extreme, provide added value to the sport's potential to be competed in the 2036 Olympic Games.
Commenting further, Mazlan, however, declined to reveal on which exponents he was placing his faith in to deliver the two gold medals.
"These new rules are first being implemented here (31st SEA Games), so we are not sure of the strengths and weaknesses of each opponent," he said.
With the combat categories set to start tomorrow, he said hosts Vietnam and Singapore would be the main rivals in Hanoi.
The national pencak silat squad consisting of 28 athletes are aiming for three gold medals, two from combat events and one in the artistic competition during the SEA Games this time.
The artistic events which ended yesterday, saw Malaysia win a gold medal through the pairing of Mohd Taqiyuddin Hamid and Sazzlan Yuga in the men's ganda (doubles) category.
— Bernama
