From the fourth to the ninth of February 2003, the Canoe Association of Macao traveled overseas for the first time this year in order to participate in the World Canoe Invitational Tournament, held in Malaysia. The Macao delegation was led by Chin Chun Kau (Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Canoe Association of Macao) and was composed of Silvia Wong Si Wai (Secretary General of the Association), Leong Mok Seng (coach), and eight athletes. Sin Pak Tai, Sin Peng Keong, Chan Kam Chun and Leong Lap Chong were members of the men’s team and Racy Leong Lai Si, Leong On Cheng, Wong Lai Peng and Sin Kuan Mui made up the women’s team. The Macao teams competed in K1, K2 and K4, distances of 200 and 500 meters (men and women’s categories), a total of 12 events. The women’s team won the gold medal in the K4-500M and a silver medal in the K4-200M event. They succeeded in enter the finals in the other eight events, breaking several Macao records.
Around 300 athletes from 17 countries and regions of Europe and Asia participated in the Tournament, competing in either Rowing or Kayak Polo. The Macao teams mainly participated in rowing, breaking several Macao records and making it to the finals in a number of events. First in the women’s K4-500M foursome international rowing competition, the Macao team reached the finish line 5 seconds earlier than the runner-up, the Malaysian host team. In the women’s K4-200M, the Macao team was only 2 seconds slower than the Malaysia team, earning second place.
During this tournament in Malaysia, athletes had to not only adapt themselves to new living situations, different food, and new boat models, but they also had to cope with high heat and humidity (35°C). Leong On Cheng, only 14-years-old and youngest on the Macao team, suffered heatstroke. After only one day’s rest and still suffering from illness, she participated in the women’s K4-200M finals, losing to Malaysia by only 2 seconds. Her fighting spirit was eloquent testimony to the dedication of our Macao athletes and brought much honor to Macao.
Although the men’s team won no medals in this tournament, they nevertheless made an excellent showing. All four of the young athletes on the men’s team were competing for the first time at the international level. Despite their lack of experience, they gave their all and showed wonderful team spirit. They succeeded in entering the finals of the men’s K4-500M, K4-200M, K2-200M and K1-200M. Particularly outstanding was the young athlete Chan Kam Chun, who in the K1-200M, won sixth place but with less than one second difference between him and the other five winners. His team leaders, coach and fellow team members were wildly happy with this unexpected success. Given additional training, it is expected that Chan Kam Chun will be one of the main pillars of the Macao team.
In their free time during the competitions, the Macao athletes watched the kayak polo and other competitions so as to learn skills and strategies with the aim of promoting the development of the Macao team’s canoe and kayak polo skills.
When discussing the further development of canoeing as a competitive sporting event, Lai Nga Mei, Chairman of the Technique Committee of the Canoe Association of Macao, said: “Results achieved at last year’s Asiatic Canoeing Championship in Iran and at the Juvenile Invitational Tournament held in Thailand are the fruit of effective work and great effort by our athletes and coaches. Besides supporting the training of athletes for participation in various important competitive events this year, the Canoe Association is also preparing to train judges, keeping in mind that, at the end of next year, the 1st East Asia Canoe Championship will be held in Macao, thus promoting and firmly establishing Macao’s involvement in this sport.”
By the Macao Canoe Association
