Asiad boost for Lee Lee

Karate exponent Lim Lee Lee secured a big boost to her preparations for the Doha Asian Games when she bagged the gold medal in the Istanbul International Open championships on Sunday.

It is the first time that a Malaysian exponent has emerged as the winner at an European-level competition. Lee Lee bagged the individual kata title, beating Turkey's Ozlem Akin 4-1 in the final.

The Penangite opened accounts beating Nazli Sazak of Turkey 3-0 and went on to defeat Ardiata Iseni of Macedonia by a similar margin to qualify for the semi-finals. She edged Esra Bahadir of Iran 2-1 to qualify for the final.

For her efforts, the two-time Asian Games medallist earned US$2,000.

Kumite exponent Vasantha Marial came close to giving Malaysia a second gold medal in the below 48kg category competition.

Vasantha settled for the silver after losing in extra time to Turkish exponent Gulderen Celik. Both were tied at 1-1 after the first three rounds.

Vasantha, who is the Asian Championships gold medallist in the same category, received a first-round bye and won two bouts to reach the gold medal match. Her efforts in Istanbul were worth US$1,500.

Malaysia also bagged a bronze in the men's individual kata through Ku Jin Keat, who earned US$750.

Five more exponents in the squad for the Doha Asiad in December – R. Puvaneswaran, Lim Yoke Wai, S. Mahendran, S. Kunasilan (men's kumite) and G. Yamini (women's kumite) – failed to make to the medal rounds.

The two-day championships in Istanbul were part of the European circuit and saw participation from exponents from 20 countries.

The Malaysia Karate Federation (Makaf) secretary, Clement Soo, said that winning in Istanbul would be good for Lee Lee's confidence before the challenge in the Asian Games.

“Lee Lee went to Japan for a short training stint this year. Her performances are smoother now and we plan to sent her back to Japan before she leaves for Doha,” said Clement.

The fact that Turkey won two gold medals in the last World Championships in Mexico in 2004 will give the Malaysian winners in Istanbul better confidence of their abilities when they compete in the Asian Games.

“It is not easy to win a medal in an European senior competition,” said Clement.

“Turkey are very strong in karate, especially in kumite. Malaysia were not the only Asian side competing there. Iran also sent 20 national exponents to the championships.”

The national karate team will remain in Europe and compete in the Finnish International Open from Sept 10-13.