From running to Karate, Shahmalarani shines bright

SHAH ALAM - Cross-country race and long distance running was initially Karate Gold Medalist Shahmalarani Chandran dream sport, but karate eventually won her heart.

"I have ventured into so many things, but I saw something special in Karate.

"Back in my schooling days, my dream was different as I always contested in cross-country and long distance races, even going as far as contesting under Majlis Sukan Sekolah Malaysia (MSSM)," she said in Sinar Daily's Sports Matters podcast episode entitled 'Welcoming The Champions' yesterday.

Eventhough her dreams were different, the Sea Games gold medalist said her passion and interest made her choose Karate.

"Something attracted me, the passion and interest was there so I didn't have any second thoughts and have stayed with Karate ever since."

She said karate is a promising sports as it requires both respect of your opponent and high discipline.

Shahmalarani had beaten Philippines’ world champion Junna Tsukii in the women’s kumite below 50kg final in Phnom Penh, and earned Malaysia the first gold medal for Malaysia at the Sea Games.

She won the title decider through a referee’s decision after the scores were tied 3-3. She was then awarded three out of five votes.