Twins Ismi and Isa want more success

BEING twins may have worked wonders for Ismi and Isa Bismi who managed to pocket the Sultanate's only bronze medal from wushu at the 25th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games which was held from Dec 9-18 in Vientiane, Laos. But for sure, teamwork played a key role in their achievement.

"I'm satisfied by obtaining a medal but I believe that we could have done better. However, it is good enough since it was the first time we competed together," said older brother Ismi, in an interview with The Brunei Times yesterday when met at a training session at the Multipurpose Hall of the Hassanal Bolkiah National Sports Complex in Berakas.

"I believe it was our cooperation and teamwork which is probably from the bond between us that helped us achieve the result," added the 30-year-old who works for the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF).

The twins scored 9.20 points to finish in a tie with Malaysia's Ng Say Yoke and Yeap Wai Kin for third place in the men's Duilian (spear and wrestling cudgel) event.

Anousonne Sasabo, Bountang Song and Siamphone Kongmary of Laos earned 9.50 points to take the gold medal while Indonesia's Aldy Lukman and Johannes Sie scored 9.40 points to clinch silver.

However, Ismi gave most of the credit to the national wushu coach, Li Hui, for making things possible for them.

"I would like to thank him for everything as he has put in a lot of effort to help guide us. All the sweat and tiredness have all paid off making it all worthwhile," said Ismi.

The older brother joined wushu because of Isa, who took up the sport in early 2003 when they were 24 years old. Isa won a gold medal in the Eagle Claw Fist event from the 18th National Wushu Championship in Genting Highlands, Malaysia, the same year.

"He (Isa) was my inspiration to make me take up the sport. I thought the sport was unique as it doesn't require contact but deals with patterns," said Ismi.

When asked on what he aims for in the future, Ismi replied: "I really want to commit myself to training and I want to continue with the sport. When I'm done I would like to go into judging just like the coach advised."

Isa felt no different from his brother about their performance in Laos bringing home the bronze medal.

"I'm really satisfied with it. The competition was really difficult as it was a big challenge for us. We were just expecting a podium finish and we achieved it," said Isa.

"Being twins works in a way and it's communication that is the most important between us," added Isa, who works for the Royal Brunei Navy (RBN).

The 30-year-old would also give the credit to his coach but he believes that it is his mother who helped him through the sport.

"She was the woman behind us and she was there to support us," said Isa, whose interest in the sport came from watching the sport on television.

"But our coach (Li) is the greatest I've ever had. He's really strict and he gives us the confidence boost which is the best about him," added Isa.

Isa just wants to keep their focus and continue to work hard in more glory in upcoming competitions.

This is the second time that the twins have competed in the Games after they represented the Sultanate at the 2005 SEA Games in the Philippines. Both of them competed individually in the nanquan (Southern Fist) events but came back empty handed.

Li came up with the perfect solution to put them together as a team that brought them success.

"The coach chose to put us together with me using the wrestling cudgel and Ismi using the spear," said Isa.

Li described the pair as "very hardworking sports people with a lot of heart."

"They are really hardworking. Even when they are down with injury they would still continue to train. They are really determined to improve their skills," said Li, who has trained world champions in China.

"I would want them to proceed and become judges since Brunei do not have any yet while wushu is slowly picking up," Li added.

"This is a good opportunity and who knows, Brunei will also be hosting a wushu tournament in the future," continued Li.

Making their first appearance in the SEA Games, Brunei got their only silver in the women's Duilian (spear play and wrestling cudgel play) courtesy of Faustina Woo Wai Sii and Lee Ying Shi.The Brunei Times