Thursday, March 6, 2014
Sepak Takraw : One of the Most Unusual Sports in Asian Games
0 comments Posted by ~* kY *~ at 8:30 PM
Published on 2014 Incheon Asian Games official blog on February 25, 2014: http://blog.incheon2014ag.com/sepak-takraw/
First introduced and contested in the Asian Games 1990 in Beijing, China, sepak takraw (kick volleyball) is a sport native to Southeast Asia. The name itself came from two languages: “sepak” defined as “kick” in Malay; Takraw a “rattan ball” in Thai. It is found in the cultures of Southeast Asia as early as in the 11th century: Takraw in Thailand, Sipa in Philippines, Sepak Raga in Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei, Chin Loon in Myanmar, Rago in Indonesia and Kator in Laos. It is also very similar to the “Cuju”, an ancient Chinese ball game and Japanese traditional game, “Kemari” that involves kicking a ball into the air and counting the number of kicks.
Sepak takraw is a spectacular mix of football, volleyball, baseball, badminton and gymnastics. It is a competitive skill ball game which requires the use of the feet and head to keep the ball. Unlike any other sports, it is one of the toughest games in the world that postulates flash reflexes, precise control and gravity-defying leaps.
The Court
Image from Google
The standard Sepak Takraw courts are similar to the badminton court with the following dimension.
Playing Style
The distinctive playing styles have evolved over the years. These are a few notable ball-service styles that are executed today:
Horse-kick: the player kicks the ball using the foot sole
Image from Google
Sunback or Stingray spike: the player jumps and kicks the ball over the same shoulder as their kicking foot.
Image from Google
Roll spike: the player kicks over the opposite shoulder.
Image from Google
Cartwheel: the player spikes with the in-step.
Image from Google
Interesting Facts
- The use of hand during the game is prohibited.
- There is no rotation in the defense position.
- It is counted as a score when the ball touches the net before failing into the opponent court.
- The speed of the ball can be up to 140km per hour.
South Korea Sepaktakraw Team
Picture from Korea Sepaktakraw Association
The South Korean Sepaktakraw national team have been gaining momentum with several wins in recent events. In the 1st Sepaktarkaw ISTAF Super Series competition held last September, Korea defeated top seeded Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand to come out victorious.
The ISTAF Super Series is an international sepaktakraw competition organized by the International Sepaktakraw Federation. It gathers the best team to compete in a series of tournaments to see which country is the best.
Another successful outing by the South Korean team both women and men, was at the World Championships. This time, the top seeded national teams were determined to avenge their defeats. However, Korea men’s team did succeed in winning a silver (regu), and 2 bronze (double, team event). The women team won a silver (regu) and bronze (team event).
Sepaktakraw at Incheon Asian Games
Picture from Korea Sepaktakraw Association
Sepak Takraw, also known as one of the strangest games in the world will be featured at the 2014 Incheon Asian Games. The Southeast Asian teams are favorite to win but with the home ground support behind Korea’s team, who knows which way the ball will land. Get ready to be amazed by the jaws-dropping movements and the exciting matches!
The official 2014 Incheon Asian Games Writer ‘IAG-Crew’ ㅣKit Yee, Thoong
Friday, February 28, 2014
With the initial objective of filling up the double bass vacant in the Expressions orchestra + dance concert that I was chairing in 2012, I decided to pick up the double bass myself instead and get another flautist to replace my original position in the orchestra.
Unlike most of the instruments, double bass is not a common instrument where you can easily get a player to play in the orchestra.
It was a big surprise among my friends due to the huge difference between my 2nd and 3rd instrument: flute as the highest pitch in standard orchestral instrument; double bass as the lowest sounding member in the string family.
28 February 2012 was the day which I embarked on my double bass odyssey.
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| it was just the beginning |
how I wish the callus could be thicker!
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| hard time choosing the right one |
- KL French Language Week Opening Ceremony 2012
- Expressions Orchestra & Dance Concert 2012
- PJPO - TUSO Joint Concert 2013
- Young Malaysians Go Classic Concert 2013
- Christmas Carol at Empire Shopping Gallery 2013
- JFK+Nas Wedding Reception 2014
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| photo for programme booklet, thanks Kit Shen! |
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| Expressions Orchestra + Dance Concert |
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| String Ensemble |
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| Ben Lau's photography |
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| YMGC Concert under the baton of Mr Kevin Field |
That was my dream orchestra to play in since I was young and yet to send my application!
It was saddening that it clashed with my examination period that I couldn't play that time though.
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| can you spot my lil flute? |
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| it's time to hibernate my dear |
Ditched my flute, and here I go for double bass!
(Yeah, some told me that I will regret for choosing the bass over the flute.. haha)
my next target: own a double bass!
Monday, February 24, 2014
Land of the Morning Calm Expedition: Seoul - Busan (my Big Day Part)
0 comments Posted by ~* kY *~ at 12:28 AMDay 6 (9 November 2013)
Thanks Seonyoung for the cake.
It was from the Paris Baguette, a famous bakery in South Korea that you can spot it everywhere!
(the raved Tour Les Jours in Malaysia was not that commonly seen over there though)
my first try on soju!
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| everyone was so tired after one whole day of activities |
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| Gyeongbokgung 경복궁 |
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| busy adjusting the angle of group photo |
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| smile :) |
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| oppss... cant fit all the heads |
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| such a beautiful street view ❤ |
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| way back to guesthouse |
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| looks pro wey |
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| yipee.. photo with the amiable landlady, Seonyoung :) |
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| the thinker |
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| best spot for photography xD |
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| we're leaving soon! |
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| there we off to Busan! |
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| yup, KTX it is! |
The journey to Busan was about 2 hours.
Quickly, we fed our stomach at a random restaurant nearby the hotel upon settled down.
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| octopus feast - a very spicy meal!!! |
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| 3D Rider (something similar to Genting's Motion Master) |
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| Busan's most famous beach: Haeundae Beach 해운대해수욕장 |
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| looks familiar eh? |
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| the Goldfish Ang |
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| Patrick?!! |
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| let's jelly-fishing without Spongebob! |
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| underwater music staves |
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| what's that beside me D: |
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| makes me thought of Sandy |
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| photo with the shark! |
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| hey, Nigel's clan xD |
Honestly, I prefer Aquaria KLCC. hehe
It was a downpour after our visitation at Busan Aquarium.
We only managed to depart from there after waited for the rain to stop for about half an hour.
Eventually I got myself a new umbrella at Daiso.
Up next, we headed to the Lotte Mall.
Pepero Day falls on 11 November so you can see aplenty of Pepero, almost everywhere!
look, they have myriads of flavours & packaging.. awww...
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| "Dai Lo Yau" at the first sight. Cantonese, if you know what I meant xD |
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| I don't really fond of ice-cream... |
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| ..but I can't help getting one! it's a double-sided fruit ice-cream |
| Last but not least.. what else that you can do at night when outside was freezing? |
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| super NUT mask to pamper ourselves |
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| :D |
- spent my time at oversea, to be specific: my dream land (oh my, I love the cake!)
- first try on soju (felt dizzy but I was still sober-minded)
- oh yes, celebrated in the Korean traditional house 한옥
- experienced one of the coldest night ever: downpour + gale! felt like below 0 degree celcius
- tasted spiciest meal of my life (yeah you can imagine how do I look like when my tears and mucous are all coming out)
- got myself an ice-cream (am not a big fan of it but froyo!); tempted by its flavour and special look lol
such a bliss to spend my big day at this wonderful place with wonderful people... seriously, I'm one of the blessed people in the world. Ailee, Karen, Nigel & William thank you so much :)
what a thrilling big day of mine
stay tuned for the final post!
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