Caption: Md Haziq Asahrin (L) sparring against Hardiwan Shah Rahim during a training session last night at the Fencing Hall of the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas. Picture: Yee Chun Leong
Yee Chun Leong
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
MD HAZIQ Asahrin will represent Brunei at the 2017 Junior and Cadet World Fencing Championships in Plovdiv, Bulgaria.
The competition will be held from April 1-10 but Haziq will only contest in the Junior individual sabre event on April 5.
It will be the first time Haziq to be competing at such a world championship and he is looking forward to it despite having to travel alone as his trip is funded by the International Fencing Federation (FIE).
"I'm looking at gaining more experience since it will be my first time competing at the world championships," said Haziq in an interview with Brusports yesterday.
"I want to learn as much as possible and make sure that I'm up to date with the latest rules as well," he added.
"But it will be difficult without a coach because there are some things that I won't be able to see by myself," continued the 19-year-old, who won bronze in the men's individual sabre event at the Brunei International Open in January.
He also went on to thank his coach (Rocky Poerawinata), Brunei Darussalam Fencing Federation (BDFF), KKBS, family and teammates for the continuous support.
Haziq last competed at the Asian Fencing Championships in Thailand in late February where he was knocked out in the top-64 after falling 15-11 to Soravit Kitsiriboon of Thailand.
Caption: Md Haziq Asahrin (C) in a photo with national fencing coach Rocky Poerawinata (R) and Captain (U) Nashriq Moksin, the BDFF secretary general. Picture: Yee Chun Leong
Rocky felt that Haziq is ready for the competition and hopes that he will be able to get the best out of it.
"We have been training all year round and always prepared whether there is competition or not," said Rocky when met at the Fencing Hall of the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas.
"This trip is good for him to gain more experience since all the top junior fencers will be there.
"There will be plenty of things to learn and there are opportunities to train or spar with other fencers," added the Indonesian.
Captain (U) Nashriq Moksin, the BDFF secretary general, seconded the views of the national fencing coach.
"The tournament will be good exposure for him," said Nashriq.
"Hopefully with the experience gained he will be able to take it up another level," he concluded.
In addition, BDFF has also set their eyes on another competition in Sabah later this month.
