Karatedo won Brunei their first medal of the 26th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Indonesia, but Hj Okhida Simangasing isn't satisfied just yet.

The national coach watched Mohammad Jamil Hj Abd Hamid finish joint-third to claim bronze in the men's above 84kg category at the Tennis Indoor Senayan Stadium, a part of the Gelora Bung Karno Sports Complex in the Indonesian capital.

Though getting the Sultanate on the medals table in what was the first day of official competition is considered a good start, Hj Okhida doesn't believe his four-man team are done especially since Muhammad Fidaiy Sanif (men's below 55kg), his brother Mohammad Fadilah (men's below 67kg) and Mainuddin Hj Mohamad (men's below 75kg) will be taking to the floor today.

"It's a good result but the fight is not over yet," said Hj Okhida, who saw Mohammad Jamil surrender a 4-0 lead to Thailand's Sanphasit Chonlaph in the semi-finals.

Though the 25-year-old Mohammad Jamil waltzed past Myanmar's Aug Zaw Min 4-0 in the first round and led Sanphasit 4-0 until the very last minute, a punch to his ribs by the Thai turned the match on its head.

Mohammad Jamil was left gasping for air, and unable to breathe, had to receive treatment before bravely insisting he wanted to continue.

Sanphasit would take advantage of the situation and win the next four points to even the scores. Though an extra minute of time was added, it ended 1-1 and the match had to be decided by the referees who awarded Sanphasit a ticket to the final.

The Thai would eventually lose the title to Indonesia's Umar Syarief.

With only seven participants in the category, Mohammad Jamil was forced to share bronze with Vietnam's Pham Quang Duy who Umar beat en-route to the championship tie.

"He (Mohammad Jamil) showed strong spirit in the first match but lost focus after the injury in the semi-finals," explained Hj Okhida.

"He can improve from the tactical point of view. We have already taught all the exponents mental tactics, it's up to them to use it when they compete. Luck is also important," said Hj Okhida when asked what Mohammad Jamil could improve on.

The same group of four exponents competed at last year's Guangzhou Asian Games in China, though none of the country's eight athletes in four sports returned with a medal.

Today's action will see Muhammad Fidaiy face Thailand's Hirannithichatphon Saratham, Fadilah take on Myanmar's Tintun Aung and Mainuddin meet Vietnam's Nguyen Minh Phung.

The pencak silat team will also finally get the chance to put all their hard work to the test today when national silat exponent Amirul Ahat faces Thailand's Anothai Choopeng.

Courtesy from Brunei Times