They Were Mocked For Wanting To Play For M’sia In France. They Answer By Winning 6 Medals

The team of mostly young women and men faced several issues including discrimination and financial hardships prior to travelling to France for the tournament. And while their morale was down, the team did not let empty promises of support deter them from bringing glory to Malaysia on the international stage.

The private Malaysian team, representing the International Okinawan Shorin-Ryu Sei-bu-kan Karate-Do Association of Malaysia (IOSSKAM), came back with one gold, three silver, and two bronze medals.

Along with the six medals in total, the team also won two trophies.

The global tournament was held in the city of Lyon, which saw, besides France, 12 countries taking part including karate heavyweights such as Japan and Italy.

Leading the team was IOSSKAM president, 26-year-old Minalochuni Pathmanathan, who wants to break the gendered stereotype that youngsters and women cannot lead, according to the association’s spokesperson Thivashini Krish Dhev Nair. Thivashini spoke to this SAYS writer at length for this story.

While IOSSKAM is registered with the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the association was solely responsible for the private delegation that went to France.