INCHEON: Lim Chee Wei successfully defended the Asian Games men's karate kata gold medal won by his master four years ago with an impressive performance in Incheon today.
Ku Jin Keat ended Japan's dominance in men's kata in 2010 and his student Chee Wei followed in his footsteps at the Gyeyang Gymnasium.
Chee Wei, 23, also defeated a Japanese, Issei Shimbaba, in the semi-finals before a close 3-2 victory over Indonesia's Fidelys Lolobua in the final.
"This is the biggest win of my career," said Chee Wei, who added the Asian Games gold medal to his victories at the Sea Games and Islamic Solidarity Games last year.
"I want to thank my coaches Ku Jin Keat, Lim Lee Lee and Patrick Lim for their guidance and training.
"When I arrived here, my aim was only to win a medal of any colour but to get gold is beyond my expectations."
This gold medal is Malaysia's seventh in karate at the Asian Games since 1994 with Chee Wei emulating the feats of R. Puvaneswaran (two), C. Muralitharan, R. Muniandy, S. Premila and Jin Keat.
Karate has now equalled badminton as Malaysia's joint-fourth highest gold medal contributor at the Asian Games.