APU Sports Team Swept 4 Gold, 1 Silver And 2 Bronze In The Trident Games

Although competing as an invitational team, APU Sports Team demonstrated their abilities in various sports and was named overall champion.

Mr Illangovan Thirumal, coach of the Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) Sports Team is proud of his protege’s achievement, which has been described as ‘one of the best sporting highlights for APU’ this year.

Despite being preoccupied with studies and exams, our sportsmen and sportswomen were able to outperform their opponents and earn four gold medals, one silver medal, and two bronze medals in the Trident Games, which debuted in 2017 and usually involves Sunway University, Monash University, and Taylor’s University.

APU and International Medical University (IMU) received a special invitation to participate in 2023.

“APU earned gold medals in football, men’s and women’s basketball, and Chinese chess, a silver in badminton, and two bronze medals in women’s and staff futsal.

“Winners of the football tournament also received a special trophy,” Illangovan explained.

​APU FC players raise their winning trophies.

APU was represented by 12 members of the Asia Pacific University Football Club (APU FC): Anesh Krishna, Fathi Said Hariz, Kanema Sachingongu, Justin Kombe Tonguino, Abdoulie Krubally, Tashinga Providence Chigede, Chew Jay Ren, Kenneth Lian Tan Chang Shii, Haziq Irfan Radzali, Majd Jalal Glaw, Owen Yehezkiel Pangihutan, and Kawsu S Jaabi.

“Against tournament favourites Sunway University in our first game, we won 2-1. Subsequently, the team defeated IMU 3-0 and then prevailed 1-0 against Monash University.

“The exciting final game against Taylor’s University ended in a 0-0 score. The penalty shootouts ended in a 2-1 victory for APU and thus crowned tournament champions,” said APU FC Captain Anesh Krishna.

He added, “The tournament helped them in connecting with several different people from other universities and building new friendships along the way and provided an invaluable learning experience in teamwork and extracurricular activities.”

APU men’s basketball team displays their trophies.

Men’s Basketball Team President Lee Lik Shann was also pleased with their team’s first-ever victory.

“We win these games because we had fun and enjoyed ourselves. On the other hand, teamwork, coordination, and communication are important, and there is always space for improvement,” he said.

He thanked all the players: Wan Yu Hong, Eng Wei Han, Liew Wenn Yunn, Yap Jin Cheng, Ong Shao Xiang, Lean Jun Yan, Ang Chong Seng, Low Yan Shik, Tan Hong Sheng, Karim Elgohiny, and Sau Jit Liang for their perseverance in helping APU basketball team win the gold medal.

APU women’s basketball team poses with their trophy.

Meanwhile, Women’s Basketball Team President Yap Pei Tian stated that Trident Games has taught them to give their all no matter how strong their opponents are.

“We won because of teamwork and perseverance. Our players, Er Wan Xuan, Lee Mei Yee, Ti Suki, Siau Xin Yu, and Chong Vickie, prepared some 3v3 basketball strategies and worked hard to improve team chemistry for the Trident Games, and we are happy with the gold medal,” she said.

​APU Chinese chess players display their championship honours.

Wong Shi Zhou, who represents the Chinese chess team, stated that because there are so few Chinese chess players at APU, only he and two other players, Lim Ka Leek and Liew Kok Siang were selected to represent APU at the Games.

“This is our first appearance at the Trident Games, which provided us with the opportunity to meet more Chinese chess players and have many nice exchanges throughout the competition.

“Our team won five games and only lost one, and at the end of the tournament, we received the highest marks among teams. However, we still have a lot to learn because our carelessness cost our team one defeat out of five victories,” he concluded.