Asiad 2018: Sepak takraw squad's never-say-die attitude prevails in inter-regu event

PALEMBANG, Aug 28 (Bernama) -- "We have proven that despite being down 11-17, we should not accept defeat," said Farhan Adam, the sepak takraw inter-regu event gold medalist who wants the the team's fighting spirit to be emulated by the country's other athletes at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta-Palembang 2018.

According to the experienced feeder, the situation of being left behind (11-17) in the second set after having lost the first (18-21) did not negate the fighting spirit of the team, but instead galvanized them, knowing that only a win would take the fight to the deciding third set.

"While the fans at home who were watching us on television had almost given up, we did not lose our hopes and played as usual, picking up point by point, to finally win 22-20 in the second set," he told Bernama after the match.

Invigorated by the comeback, the national squad came out strong in the final set, downing Indonesia 21-11 to win the gold.

Farhan, 29, who joined the national squad in 2009, had been waiting for nine years to clinch the gold, and he is the only squad player to feature in every match contested during this competition.

"We had focused on mental resilience before coming to the Games, and we also anticipated how the home fans would impact the atmosphere of the match.

"So I hope that what this sepak takraw squad has done will give a boost to other athletes in terms of self-confidence and the belief that nothing is impossible," he said.

Malaysia had previously won the gold medal in the event twice, namely at the 1990 Asian Games in Beijing, China and the 1994 edition in Hiroshima, Japan.

The success of the sepak takraw squad today means the national contingent has now picked up four gold medals, and only need three more to complete Malaysia's seven-gold-medal target at the 18th edition of the Asian Games.

-- BERNAMA