DANCE Sports might just deliver the first Philippines Sea Games gold medal for the Malaysian contingent today.
And the breakthrough is expected to come from boys’ breakdancing, where Sam Jee Lek is Malaysia’s best hope.
Dance Sports coach Chua Zjen Fong is optimistic although the hosts have changed the size of dance arena.
“We have a good chance of delivering Malaysia’s first gold in this Games, provided everything — from judging to nerves — goes Sam’s way.
“We have nine athletes who will compete in breakdance, Latin and standard. When we went for training yesterday, the hosts changed the floor size. So, our athletes had to readjust their routines. Anyway, it’s only a small problem and should not derail our one-gold target,” said Chua.
Women’s breakdancing has been cancelled because only the Philippines and Indonesia had registered for it.
Latin and standard dancing offer six gold each while one gold is up for grab in boys’ breakdancing, which is making its Games debut.
The Philippines have set their sights on all 13 gold medals at stake.
The last time Philippines hosted the Games in 2005, they made a clean sweep of the two gold and two silver.