SEA Games: Wushu bronzes bring Fung siblings joy

KUALA LUMPUR – They have each stood on a podium at the SEA Games, but never at the same edition.

On Sunday (Aug 20) morning, Fung Jin Jie and his sister, Hui Xin, got Singapore’s wushu campaign at the 29th Kuala Lumpur Games off to a medal start by clinching a bronze each in their respective optional jianshu (sword) events.

Jin Jie scored 9.48 to finish behind Malaysian duo Yeap Wai Kin (9.67) and Wong Weng Son (9.65), while Hui Xin scored 9.60 to place behind Vietnam’s Thuy Vi Duong (9.67) and Malaysian Eyin Phoon (9.63).

The wins were extra special as it is the first time both have been to the same Games together – Jin Jie is a veteran, with the 2009, 2011 and 2015 editions under his belt, while Hui Xin’s only previous one was in 2013.

“When I saw him competing just now, I was quite inspired (to do well),” smiled Hui Xin, whose event was the second of the morning.

The 20-year-old, who won a silver in the women’s duilian team event in 2013 and has been in the sport for 13 years, added: “I didn’t really have any goals in mind so this (medal) is quite surprising. I’m very glad as I did my best and got a good result.”

Jin Jie is the more accomplished sibling, with a duilian barehand team silver (2009) and gold (2015), and a duilian team bronze (2011). But unlike his sister, who is experienced in the jianshu and was the 2010 world junior champion, he only took up the discipline a year ago.

“This is not my main event,” the 24-year-old said. “The federation made the change for me, so I have to thank them for their strategy. 

“I did not think about the result because I just wanted to be focused and I am really glad for what I’ve achieved. I think both of us did really well (today)… I hope the team can continue this momentum going forward.”

In the other morning events, Zoe Mui finished fifth in the women’s gunshu. Jowen Lim and Yong Yi Xiang are currently placed first and third in the men’s optional daoshu and gunshu, with the daoshu portion to be held on Monday (Aug 21)