R. Sharmendran, a former national karate champion renowned for his impressive record of four gold medals at the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, has officially taken on the role as the head of the national development squad, following the Malaysia Karate Federation’s (Makaf) invitation. At the age of 32, Sharmendran has been granted a two-year contract in recognition of his remarkable achievements in the sport. Having accepted the offer, Sharmendran is poised to contribute his extensive expertise to the development of aspiring karate athletes in Malaysia.
During this tenure, Sharmendran is anticipated to assemble a competitive team with the goal of preparing for the upcoming 2027 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Kuala Lumpur. Sharmendran secured an impressive four gold medals for Malaysia in the men’s Kumite below-75kg category during the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games held in Kuala Lumpur in 2017, Manila in 2019, Hanoi in 2022, and Phnom Penh in 2023. Despite his remarkable achievements, Sharmendran faced significant challenges, having undergone six surgeries on his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) over a span of nine years. Unfortunately, these physical setbacks compelled him to retire from the sport last year.
Despite his retirement, Sharmendran’s passion for the world of karate persisted, driving him to continue making meaningful contributions to the sport. His steadfast dedication prompted him to re-engage with karate, this time not as a competitor but as a coach. Recognizing the importance of nurturing new talents to fortify the future of karate, Sharmendran has taken on the role of a mentor, aiming to shape and guide young aspiring players.
Expressing his awareness of the aging composition of the national squad, Sharmendran articulated that his primary objective over the next two years is to cultivate a significant number of young athletes for the national team.
“I’m going to work closely with former national captain Hatta Mahamut, and we are in the process of forming a young squad for the SEA Games. Many of the senior players will be retiring soon, and we need to fill the gap as soon as possible. Using this young team, I’m going to ensure that they win as many gold medals in the SEA Games as possible, as we will be playing in front of our home crowd. We don’t want to disappoint our fans.”, Sharmendran said to Scoop.
Sharmendran conveyed his gratitude towards Makaf president Datuk Nur Azmi Ahmad for extending the opportunity to him and affirmed his readiness to fully embrace the responsibility bestowed upon him. He emphasized the importance of adhering to the president’s directives and striving to achieve the collective goals set forth by the organization.
“Dealing with the current generation is going to be slightly hard due to the mindset they have and their inclination towards gadgets. I’m not saying that I’m going to dictate or torture them, but I will approach them with a more dynamic and friendly training system so I can establish a strong bond with the players,” said Sharmendran.
The duration of the offer, limited to two years, did not concern Sharmendran. His focus is not on monetary gain but on imparting the knowledge and experience gained throughout his karate career to the younger generation. With a sense of responsibility towards the youth, Sharmendran sees this opportunity as a means to give back to his community. While the president has not outlined specific key performance indicators (KPIs), Sharmendran is committed to not taking anything for granted. He has already initiated the selection process, currently working with 39 athletes of both genders, and actively scouting for additional talent nationwide.
In embracing the pivotal role of coaching the national development squad, R. Sharmendran emerges as a source of immense pride for the Malaysian Indian community. As the Malaysian Indian community watches with pride, Sharmendran stands as a symbol of excellence and dedication. Wishing him all the best in his coaching endeavors, may he continue to inspire and shape the future of Malaysian karate.
Source: Scoop
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