PETALING JAYA: Wushu exponent Tai Cheau Xuen delivered the country’s third gold medal for a perfect end to her debut in the World Junior Championships in Bali yesterday.

Cheau Xuen came out tops in the girls’ Group A (16-18) nandao (broadsword) competition. There was also a double cheer for Malaysia with another Group A female exponent, Kimberly Goh, winning a bronze in taijijian (taiji sword).

Kimberly finished out of the medals in the taijiquan three days ago but ensured that she did not return home empty-handed when she posted a score of 9.19 to finish behind Indonesian Lindswell (9.20) and South Korean Kim Ok-jin (9.21).

Kimberly was a gold medallist in the girls’ Group B (13-15) taijiquan in the previous World Juniors in Kuala Lumpur two years ago.

The day belonged to Cheau Xuen, who earned 9.32 for her performance to secure her second gold medal in the World Juniors.

Vietnam’s Vu Thuy Linh, who had won two bronze medals earlier, picked up the silver with a score of 9.29. The bronze went to Russian Saulina Irina, who chalked up a score of 9.19.

Cheau Xuen thus emerged as the only Malaysian exponent to win medals in all events she took part in the championships.

The 17-year-old from Negri Sembilan, who joined the back-up squad early last year, gave Malaysia their first medal when she took silver in nangun (cudgel) last Wednesday before going one step better in the nanquan (southern style barehands) the following day.

Having shown her potential to be a top wushu exponent in the junior ranks, Cheau Xuen is certainly slated for bigger things.

She made her SEA Games debut in Korat last year with a silver in the nanquan and nandao combined events behind fellow Malaysian Diana Bong Siong Lin. Cheau Xuen also earned a silver and two bronze medals in her debut in the Asian Championships in Macau last July.

The Wushu Federation of Malaysia assistant secretary general, Chong Kim Fatt, said that Cheau Xuen was set to earn promotion to the senior squad next year.

“She has delivered in all the competitions she competed in since the Korat SEA Games and we will place her in the senior squad gearing up for the Laos SEA Games at the end of next year,” he said.

Malaysia managed a total medal haul of 3-5-3 with the other gold medal coming from another Negri Sembilan exponent, Foong Foo Mun in the boys’ Group B (13-15) taijijian.

The current team may have failed to match the achievements of the previous squad, who raked in 6-8-7 in KL in 2006 but one has to take into consideration certain elements.

The previous team handled by former international Ho Ro Bin were more prepared in all areas as Malaysia were the hosts.

Needless to say, the hosts usually enjoy good results in a subjective judging sport like wushu and it was no surprise that Indonesia bagged five gold medals this time.

With eight of the 12 Malaysian exponents coming home with at least a medal, team manager Chong Min Fei said that it was a satisfactory outing for them.

“Bali certainly provided a better reflection of the actual strength. Only three (Kimberly, Cheau Xuen and Foo Mun) had been exposed to international competitions before while the rest were first-timers,” he said.

“Despite limited training, they have done well to give a good account of themselves.”