THE last two editions of the SEA Games have been disappointing for Malaysian fencer Joshua Koh I-Jie and he hopes Kuala Lumpur 2017 will change his fortune around.
The Selangor-born fencer won the gold medal in epee event at the 2011 Games. However, he failed miserably in Myanmar (2013) and Singapore (2015).
“This is a new experience for me. I’m just taking it one step at a time and focussing on what I have to do. I try not to think too much on what’s going on and just keep my head focused on the game,” said Joshua when met after a training session at Hall 6 in MITEC – venue for fencing from Aug 21-23.
The 27-year-old, who is currently pursuing a course in Agriculture Management in a University in Bangi, Selangor, said his passion for fencing started at the age of 13.
“When I was 13 years old, my brother, who was active in fencing, brought home fencing equipment. I played around with it, got excited, gradually liked it,” said Joshua.
“This is my fourth SEA Games. I’m definitely targeting gold again, especially now that the Games are held in our own backyard,” said Joshua, who together with teammate Natasha Ezzra, went on a two-month training stint in South Korea.
“It was such an amazing experience for me training with the best fencers in South Korea. For all athletes, their ultimate aim is to compete in the Olympics and I hope to be there one day,” said Joshua.
For now, he hopes that Malaysia can turn the tables on main rivals Singapore and Vietnam when fencing competition gets underway on Aug 21.
