WUSHU
Medals at stake: 21-21-29
Target: Two medals
Prediction: 1-1-1
FOR once, the usually ambitious national wushu team are playing it safe by setting a modest target of two medals of any colour.
Their pessimism is understandable, given that they hardly had any competition for the last two years due to Covid-19.
Furthermore, the Wushu Federation of Malaysia are sending a mixed squad of seniors and juniors as many seasoned campaigners have since retired.
Loh Choon How, who bagged gold in taijiquan and taijijian at the Manila edition, has retired and is now the national assistant coach.
Former world champions Wong Weng Son and Tan Cheong Min are not in the squad as the men's jianshu and women's nandao have been excluded from the Games.
But the young Malaysians are more than capable of rising to the occasion. Among the top contenders are Yeap Wai Kin and Phoon Eyin.
Vietnam are expected to dominate the taolu discipline, which will offer 13 gold, while the Philippines are the favourites in the sanda (Chinese boxing) category, which offers eight gold.
KARATE
Medals at stake: 12-12-24
Target: Three gold
Prediction: 3-3-2
MALAYSIA'S status as a leading nation in Southeast Asia will be tested again as the national karatekas look to top the medal tally for the fourth consecutive edition in Hanoi.
In Manila three years ago, Malaysia topped the standings with four gold, just one more than Thailand.
S. Prem Kumar (men's under-60kg), R. Sharmendran (under-75kg) and P. Madhuri (women's under-55kg) will return to defend their titles, while M. Mathivani will be eager to make amends on her runner-up finish in the under-61kg.
However, it will be tough for the national kata squad, who won gold through their men's team in Manila, to deliver as hosts Vietnam are expected to dominat e this time.
CYCLING
Medals at stake: 5-5-5
Target: Three medals
Prediction: 0-1-1
WITH no track cycling in Hanoi, the national cyclists will find it challenging to count on road events for medals.
In Manila, the national road cyclists suffered a disastrous campaign and returned home empty-handed.
But the team will be buoyed by the return of talismanic three-time gold medallist Harrif Saleh this time. He did not take part in Manila.
Harrif, 33, hopes to win the men's criterium for a third time after coming out tops in the 2015 and 2017 editions.
ESPORTS
Medals at stake: 10-10-10
Target: 1-0-3
Prediction: 2-1-0
MALAYSIAN gamers hope to nail their second straight gold as the ever-growing eSports make their second successive entry into the Sea Games after Manila.
The Hearthstone event, won by Yew Weng Kean in 2019, is not on the list this time but team manager Kelvin Pang believes his team have what it takes to contend strongly in the Mobile Legend and Arena of Valor events.
PETANQUE
Medals at stake: 8-8-16
Target: Four gold
Prediction: 4-1-1
THE ambitious national petanque squad intend to create history by winning four of the eight gold medals on offer for the first time.
They hope to win the men and women's shooting and doubles categories and the mixed triple as well.
Malaysia's best ever haul was two gold, achieved at the 2017 edition.
DUATHLON & TRIATHLON
Medals at stake: 4-4-4
Target: Undisclosed
Prediction: 0-0-0
EIGHT Malaysian athletes will compete in the endurance races but are unlikely to beat the Filipinos and the Thais for medals.
Malaysia were once a force in triathlon, with Kimbeley Yap dominating the women's event in the 2005 (Manila) and 2007 (Korat) editions.
KAYAK & ROWING
Medals at stake: 35-35-35 (Kayak —19-19-19; Rowing — 16-16-16)
Target: Undisclosed
Prediction: 0-0-0
A bulk of gold medals are up for grabs at the Thuy Nguyen Boat Racing Centre, but sadly Malaysia are not a force in both sports.
In fact, finishing on the podium would be a miracle for Malaysia.
FOOTBALL & FUTSAL
Medals at stake: 4-4-4
Target: Semi-finals (Football and Futsal)
Prediction: 0-1-1
YOUNG Tigers are not aiming high this time as they are using the competition to prepare for the under-23 Asian Cup next month.
However, coach Brad Maloney still expects his team to at least reach the semi-finals.
As for men's futsal, coach Chiew Chun Yong hopes his side will repeat their silver medal feat from the 2017 edition.
The team, however, do not have the best form leading up to Hanoi after failing to make the semi-finals at the recent AFF Championship.
Malaysia are not competing in women's football.
OTHER MARTIAL ARTS
Medals at stake: 31-31-62 (Jiu-jitsu — 6-6-12; Kurash — 12-12-24; Judo — 13-13-26)
Target: One gold in Jiu-jitsu
Prediction: 0-5-6 (Jiu-jitsu — 0-2-2; Kurash — 0-1-1; Judo — 0-2-3)
MALAYSIA won four silver in Manila three years ago in these three less prominent martial art disciplines.
While there are many jiu-jitsu and judo centres in the country, Malaysian exponents normally do not do well internationally. Kurash, however, is almost unheard of in the country.
If the Malaysian exponents can do something positive in Hanoi, it will help in the growth and popularity of these sports.
Jiu-jitsu athlete Cassandra J. Poyong is not afraid of dreaming big as she aims to go one better than the silver won in the women's under-55kg in Manila, this time in the heavier category of under-62kg.
SHOOTING
Medals at stake: 22-22-22
Target: 1-0-4
Prediction: 1-3-2
WITH a total of 22 events to be contested, shooting offers the most gold medals in Hanoi after aquatics (48) and athletics (47).
However, the national shooters believe they are good for only one gold. Still, if achieved, it will be a commendable outing, considering that they had failed to win a title in Manila three years ago.
Making his sixth successive appearance, Johnathan Wong (pic) will spearhead Malaysia's challenge as he seeks to reclaim the men's 10m air pistol gold he won at the 2017 Games.
Johnathan will also take aim in the 50m free pistol, which he had finished on the podium in 2013, 2015 and 2017.
SILAT
Medals at stake: 16-16-32
Target: Three gold
Prediction: 2-2-3
THE exponents can expect a decent medal haul in Hanoi.
Former world champions Hazim Amzad (C Putra), Al Juferi Jamari (F Putra) and Siti Rahmah Nasir (F Putri) are the title contenders in the Tanding discipline.
Al Juferi is raring for action after recovering from an injury as he eyes his fifth straight Sea Games title, albeit in the F Putra (70-75kg) this time. He clinched his first E Putra crown in 2011 and has been the undisputed champion since.
Hosts Vietnam are ready to return with a vengeance following the Philippines' decision to reduce the number of silat events when they hosted the Sea Games in 2019.
They aim to win at least seven titles.
FIN SWIMMING
Medals at stake: 13-13-13
Target: 0-0-1
Prediction: 0-0-1
CAN Malaysia finally nail their first podium finish in the sport, which will be contested for the fourth time in the biennial Games?
Fin swimming is going one full circle, having made its debut in the 2003 edition in Vietnam. All hopes are on Khiew Tze Yean to win a medal after his recent decent outing at the University Championships in Italy. The 19-year-old is aiming for a bronze in the men's 100m.
DANCESPORT
Medals at stake: 12-12-12
Target: 0-0-2
Prediction: 0-0-2
BEING a subjective sport, Malaysia are unlikely to strike gold in Hanoi.
In 2019, Sam Jee Lek stole the limelight by winning the breakdance title. However, his event has been dropped from the Hanoi edition. The team are, however, eyeing two bronze from the standard and Latin American disciplines.
VOLLEYBALL
Medals at stake: 4-4-4
Target: 0-0-1
Prediction: 0-0-0
BUOYED by having two pairs in the top three positions at Singapore's National Beach Series One last month, the Malaysian Volleyball Association hope that their men's team can end a 13-year medal drought in beach volleyball in Hanoi
However, it will be a tall order for Sim Jian Qin-Khairol Shazrime Shamsaimon and Shon Ngiap Shyang-Asri Muharia, who finished first and third in the invitational event in Singapore that did not feature top teams from Indonesia and Thailand.
Malaysia last won a medal through Beh Shun Thing-Luk Teck Hua, when they took the women's bronze at the 2009 Laos Games.
GYMNASTICS
Medals at stake: 21-21-21 (Artistic —16-16-16; Rhythmic — 5-5-5)
Target: 3-0-0 (One — Artistic, two — Rhythmic)
Prediction: 3-5-3 (Artistic — 1-3-1; Rhythmic — 2-2-2)
ARTISTIC gymnasts Farah Ann Hadi and Tracie Ang were dominant in previous editions, but they have since retired.
The team are further weakened by the absences of gold medal prospects Tan Ing Yueh and Zarith Imaan Khalid, who picked up injuries recently.
Still, they are sticking to their one gold target. Instead, youngsters Geanie Ng and Rachel Yeoh will lead Malaysia's charge.
Only two events will offer medals in rhythmic gymnastics, and Malaysia look to grab both gold (individual and group of five)
TABLE TENNIS
Medals at stake: 7-7-14
Target: 0-0-2
Prediction: 0-0-2
In the absences of several senior players, two bronze medals will just do for the national paddlers as they seek to repeat their previous medal haul from Manila.
The two medals were contributed by Ashraf Haiqal-Wong Qi Shen and Amos Ling-Javen Choong after both lost in the semi-finals of the men's doubles event.
However, Ashraf has retired and is now coaching in Saudi Arabia, while Amos has left the national team to further his studies.
Coach Beh Lee Wei sees the return of team events as a massive boost in Malaysia's hopes of winning medals.
KICKBOXING & MUAY THAI
Medals at stake: 23-23-46 (Kickboxing —12-12-24; Muay Thai — 11-11-22)
Target: Undisclosed
Prediction: 1-4-3 (Kickboxing — 0-2-1; Muay Thai — 1-2-2)
MALAYSIA have 'lost' three gold medals following Vietnam's decision to drop the 45kg, 48kg and 51kg categories in Muay Thai.
As a result, reigning Muay Thai world champion Rifdean Masdor will try his hand at kickboxing in Hanoi.
Rifdean had made the country proud by winning the men's 45kg in Manila.
It will also be interesting to see how the naturalised Iran-born Muay Thai fighter Amir Ali Naseri fare for the first time representing Malaysia at the Games.
SNOOKER & BILLIARDS
Medals at stake: 10-10-20
Target: One gold (snooker)
Prediction: 1-1-0
THE Malaysian Snooker & Billiard Federation are placing their faith on Lim Kok Leong and Moh Keen Hoo to continue the country's strong tradition in snooker.
Unfortunately, the pair will have to forget about defending their team gold after it did not make the programme list for this edition.
Still, it is not all lost as Kok Leong and Keen Hoo stand a chance to fight for another title with the six-red event making its return since the 2013 Games.
The onus is on both cueists to defend the six-red gold last won by Thor Chuan Leong nine years ago.
Keen Hoo, who settled for silver in the singles in Manila, will fancy a shot at gunning for two gold.
Though Keen Hoo is not a six-red specialist, he was a finallist at the 2016 Asian Championships.
TAEKWONDO
Medals at stake: 19-19-38
Target: One gold (Poomsae)
Prediction: 1-2-4
HOPES were high on Jason Loo and Nurul Hidayah Karim to defend their mixed pair gold in poomsae, but the event was scrapped by the organisers.
But the setback will not stop the Malaysian exponents from aiming big as they look to make up for the loss through the women's team event.
This comes after the trio of Lim Jia Wei and the Abdul Karim sisters, Nurul Hidayah and Nur Humaira, underlined their credentials in the women's team event by claiming bronze at the World Championships last month.
Malaysia are also expected to mount a strong challenge for the podium in several kyorugi (sparring) categories.
WEIGHTLIFTING
Medals at stake: 14-14-14
Target: Undisclosed
Prediction: 0-1-1
THE national weightlifters will seek to pick up where they left off at the World Championships-cum-Commonwealth Championships in Uzbekistan last December as they hope to finish on the podium in Hanoi.
While challenging their world-class rivals from Indonesia and Vietnam for gold will be too much to ask, the men's trio of Aniq Kasdan (55kg), Aznil Bidin (61kg) and Erry Hidayat (73kg) look capable of securing at least bronze from their respective events.
Aznil and Erry will be tasked to improve on their bronze efforts in Manila. All eyes will also be on how exciting young talent Aniq fares on his debut.
The 19-year-old will head to Hanoi with the reputation of being the World Championships silver medallist in the clean and jerk.
However, it remains to be seen if he can pull off a decent lift in the snatch for a good combined effort to contend for the podium.
SEPAK TAKRAW
Medals at stake: 8-8-8
Target: 0-1-2
Prediction: 0-1-1
THE Hanoi Games present the sepak takraw squad an opportunity to forget about the infighting among administrators in the sport.
They have set a modest one silver and two bronze target. By achieving the target, it will offer the players confidence for upcoming competitions.
Contending with Thailand seems to be a distant dream now as Malaysia find themselves having to face the likes of Indonesia, Myanmar and Vietnam for the podium.
TENNIS
Medals at stake: 7-7-14
Target: 0-0-1
Prediction: 0-0-1
TENNIS is popular in Malaysia, but unfortunately, it does not produce quality players. And all Malaysia can aim for are bronze medals in Hanoi, with Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines set to dominate.
Malaysia will be led by Syed Agil Syed Naguib and Jawairiah Noordin.
As doubles specialists, Syed Agil and Jawairiah are capable of doing one better than their quarter-final effort in Manila in 2019.
Jawairiah is a four-time bronze medallist — the last achieved in the women's doubles with S. Theiviya in KL five years ago.
FENCING
Medals at stake: 12-12-24
Target: Undisclosed
Prediction: 0-2-2
OLYMPIAN Yu Peng Kean has decided to return to the sport, after a brief retirement, to help Malaysia win a medal. Whether the 31-year-old still has it in him, his presence will offer confidence to the other fencers in their hopes of doing better than their two silver and one bronze from three years ago.
Peng Kean, who competed in the 2012 London Olympics, was part of the sabre team that won gold in the 2011 Palembang edition.
GOLF
Medals at stake: 4-4-4
Target: 0-1-1
Prediction: 0-1-1
IT is a shame that Malaysia could not assemble their best golfers such as Natasha Andrea Oon and Ashley Lau for the Hanoi Games.
Natasha and Ashley, who helped Malaysia win the women's team silver in Manila, are currently competing in the National Collegiate Athletics Association in the United States.
However, the women's team have included the in-form Australia-based Jeneath Wong, who could surprise in Hanoi.
Jeneath underlined her credentials by capturing not only the Australian Girls' Amateur crown last month but also came in tied-10th in the Ladies European Tour-sanctioned NSW Open, a top-flight professional event.
As for the men's event, the spotlight will be on Ervin Chang, who is set to make his last bow as an amateur. In Manila, he finished fourth to miss out on the individual podium by a whisker.
Thai prodigy Ratchannon Chantananuwat will be the man to beat.
At 15, he's already a one-time Asian Tour winner after triumphing in last month's Trust Golf Asian Mixed Cup.
