No surprises expected from Adun's lads

02/12/1998

MALAYSIA have never won a boxing medal at the Asian Games and Bangkok is
expected to be no different.
Sapok Biki, the best Malaysian bet for an outside bronze, fractured a
finger during training and the hopes are now on Rakib Ahmad, Adnan Yusoh
and B. Muruguthevan.
The task of facing some of the best boxers in the world is surely
intimidating, if not daunting, but coach Adun Pasu is confident his
charges will acquit themselves well.
"We all know that the Asian Games field is tougher than the Commonwealth
Games, but one bronze is within our reach," said Adun who declined to name
the hopeful.
Besides having to endure the steely fists of the Thais and Indonesians,
the Malaysian fighters will come up with fighters from Iran, Uzbekestian
and South Korea.
The Thais, who won only three golds at the previous Games in Hiroshima,
have set an ambitious target of 24 gold medals and three are expected to
be won from boxers.
Bantamweight Somluck Khamsing, a national hero since he won Thailand's
first Olympic gold medal two years ago, is his country's best hope.
The Thai prediction is no mere talk as they have been preparing the past
two years.
The Malaysians head for Bangkok on Nov 12 and Adun has lined up some
sparring sessions with Thai fighters.
Adun, who trained the Thailand national team from 1989-1994 before his
appointment by the National Sports Council (NSC), said the boxers will be
more than adequately prepared.
However, the Thai coach was being realistlic when he said that Malaysia
should not place much hope on the coming Asian Games and instead prepare
for the 2006 Games which Malaysia hope to host.
(END)