MALAYSIA enjoyed unprecedented success by earning eight gold medals in the 2006 Doha Asian Games, but they are out to do even better in the Guangzhou edition, which officially starts with the opening ceremony today. Malaysia's hopes of making history revolve around squash, cycling, bowling and badminton together with wushu, karate and sailing.
The men's and women's squash squads, led by Mohd Azlan Iskandar and Nicol David, are favourites in three out of the four events.
Azlan and Ong Beng Hee, if they play to their true potential, are expected to dominate the men's individual and team events with only Pakistan offering some resistance.
Nicol, the World No 1, is expected to stroll past her opponents to claim the women's individual title.
But the lack of depth in the women's squad could spoil Malaysia's chances of a clean sweep with Hong Kong the favourites in the team event.
In cycling, Malaysia will field their strongest squad in the history of the Asian Games and the team, lead by Azizul Hasni Awang -- a two-time World Championships silver medalist -- look destined to end their 40-year gold medal drought in Guangzhou.
Azizul was stripped of his keirin gold in last month's New Delhi Commonwealth Games and he wants to banish that memory with gold in Guangzhou.
Josiah Ng, after earning the keirin gold after Azizul's disqualification in Delhi, is also aiming to become the first Malaysian in cycling history to hold both the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games titles in the same year.
Both cyclists have also been registered in the sprint individual and team events.
Rizal Tisin will only compete in the team event.
The national bowlers were the darlings of Doha four years ago when they contributed three gold medals, courtesy of Esther Cheah's exploits.
For the record, bowling has contributed more world titles compared to other local sports and the ever-reliable bowlers are expected to blaze the lanes once again.
The bowlers, however, will face a tough time in equalling their Doha success as many nations have improved tremendously since then.
South Korea, Taiwan, China and countries from Southeast Asia and the Middle East are the bowlers' main rivals.
Malaysia's run in Guangzhou will also depend on how quickly the bowlers adapt to the lane conditions at the Tianhe Bowling Hall.
In badminton, Malaysia have the World No 1s in the men's singles and doubles but it does not necessarily mean a gold harvest in Guangzhou.
Lee Chong Wei, although in good form, hopes to earn his first ever title on China soil but he will likely find Lin Dan too hot to handle.
The Penang-born has a knack of playing his worst badminton in major tournaments and it could be the case again in Guangzhou.
Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong are determined to retain their men's doubles title but first, they need to learn not to be hasty before dreaming of winning again.
The pair's inability to finish off Cai Yun-Fu Haifeng after winning the first game in the Paris World Championships, proved they tend to lose focus during crucial moments. Kien Keat-Boon Heong are expected to face the China pair again in the gold medal match.
Malaysia have a good chance of gold in wushu as China have decided to skip some events.
Men's world champion Lee Yang and Loh Jack Chang are favourites in the men's and women's taijiquan-taijijian all-round while Chai Fong Ying stands a good chance of retaining her gold in the same discipline.
R. Puvaneswaran and co are also good for gold in karate but how far they progress will depend on the draw and judging.
In sailing, Khairunnisa Afendi and Norashikin Mohd Sayed are contenders in the International 420 event.
The city of Guangzhou could be Malaysia's lucky place to record their biggest Asian Games haul but it all boils down to the performance of the athletes.
If all deliver then history will be created.
Read more: NST
The men's and women's squash squads, led by Mohd Azlan Iskandar and Nicol David, are favourites in three out of the four events.
Azlan and Ong Beng Hee, if they play to their true potential, are expected to dominate the men's individual and team events with only Pakistan offering some resistance.
Nicol, the World No 1, is expected to stroll past her opponents to claim the women's individual title.
But the lack of depth in the women's squad could spoil Malaysia's chances of a clean sweep with Hong Kong the favourites in the team event.
In cycling, Malaysia will field their strongest squad in the history of the Asian Games and the team, lead by Azizul Hasni Awang -- a two-time World Championships silver medalist -- look destined to end their 40-year gold medal drought in Guangzhou.
Azizul was stripped of his keirin gold in last month's New Delhi Commonwealth Games and he wants to banish that memory with gold in Guangzhou.
Josiah Ng, after earning the keirin gold after Azizul's disqualification in Delhi, is also aiming to become the first Malaysian in cycling history to hold both the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games titles in the same year.
Both cyclists have also been registered in the sprint individual and team events.
Rizal Tisin will only compete in the team event.
The national bowlers were the darlings of Doha four years ago when they contributed three gold medals, courtesy of Esther Cheah's exploits.
For the record, bowling has contributed more world titles compared to other local sports and the ever-reliable bowlers are expected to blaze the lanes once again.
The bowlers, however, will face a tough time in equalling their Doha success as many nations have improved tremendously since then.
South Korea, Taiwan, China and countries from Southeast Asia and the Middle East are the bowlers' main rivals.
Malaysia's run in Guangzhou will also depend on how quickly the bowlers adapt to the lane conditions at the Tianhe Bowling Hall.
In badminton, Malaysia have the World No 1s in the men's singles and doubles but it does not necessarily mean a gold harvest in Guangzhou.
Lee Chong Wei, although in good form, hopes to earn his first ever title on China soil but he will likely find Lin Dan too hot to handle.
The Penang-born has a knack of playing his worst badminton in major tournaments and it could be the case again in Guangzhou.
Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong are determined to retain their men's doubles title but first, they need to learn not to be hasty before dreaming of winning again.
The pair's inability to finish off Cai Yun-Fu Haifeng after winning the first game in the Paris World Championships, proved they tend to lose focus during crucial moments. Kien Keat-Boon Heong are expected to face the China pair again in the gold medal match.
Malaysia have a good chance of gold in wushu as China have decided to skip some events.
Men's world champion Lee Yang and Loh Jack Chang are favourites in the men's and women's taijiquan-taijijian all-round while Chai Fong Ying stands a good chance of retaining her gold in the same discipline.
R. Puvaneswaran and co are also good for gold in karate but how far they progress will depend on the draw and judging.
In sailing, Khairunnisa Afendi and Norashikin Mohd Sayed are contenders in the International 420 event.
The city of Guangzhou could be Malaysia's lucky place to record their biggest Asian Games haul but it all boils down to the performance of the athletes.
If all deliver then history will be created.
Read more: NST
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