KUALA LUMPUR: National taekwondo poomsae exponents will have two foreign assignments to polish their skills before heading to the Hangzhou Asian Games from Sept 23-Oct 8.
The poomsae athletes are expected to finish on the podium in Hangzhou following their two gold and two silver medal haul at the Phnom Penh Sea Games in May.
In the 2018 Asian Games in Indonesia, Sara Yap delivered the bronze in the women's recognised poomsae event and the team are looking to do better in Hangzhou.
National taekwondo coach Yap Yih Tiing said the team will head to South Korea for a training camp after competing in the Chengdu Universiade from July 28-Aug 8.
"The level at the Asian Games is higher than the Sea Games where there will be more world-class athletes competing.
"We did well in the Cambodia Sea Games but we need to improve our level," said Yih Tiing.
"The Universiade will give a platform for our athletes to get the competitive edge and after that, we will head to South Korea for a training camp.
"We had a similar training camp in South Korea before the Cambodia Sea Games, and it really helped our athletes improve.
"Training and competing among the top South Korean poomsae exponents will certainly improve our level."
Yih Tiing added that youngsters — Chin Ken Haw, Lim Jia Wei and Nur Humaira Abdul Karim — who delivered a silver medal in their Sea Games debut in Phnom Penh - show there's quality in the team behind seasoned stalwarts Jason Loo Jun Wei and Nurul Hidayah Abdul Karim.
"The silver medal win from the newcomers in Cambodia is very promising, they exceeded expectations. If they continue their progress, we have a good future in the sports."
