Puvaneswaran (right) lands a kick on Saudi Arabia’s Emad Mohammed Al Malki yesterday.
The relief was palpable all round and just as Ku Jin Keat had done in the morning, Puvaneswaran signed off on a high although in his case the exponent had announced his retirement months in advance.
And to be have beaten two Asian champions en route to the gold medal without conceding a point in any of his four bouts made the victory so much more sweeter.
"It's like a happy ending to a love story. I said before coming here this would be my last tournament and I would retire.
"I targeted this gold the whole time after announcing my retirement and now that I've achieved it, it has been worth it," said Puvaneswaran, who turns 36 in two weeks' time.
Puvaneswaran's gold medal yesterday was his second after he won in Busan in 2002 but missed out on a hat-trick after ending with silver in Doha four years ago. He also has a bronze medal from 1994 but was disqualified in 1998 having made an appearance at every Asian Games karate competition.
A pre-planned strategy was laid out after the draw pitted him against defending champion Hsieh Cheng Kang of Taiwan in the quarter-finals.
Puvaneswaran avenged his 2006 defeat thanks to the referee's vote after another 0-0 tie before edging a tactical battle against Iran's 2009 Asian champion Mohammad Ghasemi Laskoukalayeh 1-0 in the semi-finals.
"I did not want to go head on with these guys and clash on speed as they are all younger to me, that's why the points were low.
"Instead, we planned a specific strategy for each opponent and I was patient and used my experience to overcome them.
"The final was close, I lost to him at the Asian Championships but luck was on my side this time," added Puvaneswaran, who plans to open his own dojo to train future champions.
But for now, Puvaneswaran will bask in the joy of a job well done
Read more: NST
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