PETALING JAYA: Malaysian poomsae (non-sparring) exponents Jason Loo-Nurul Humaira Abdul Karim scored an early psychological boost ahead of the Thailand SEA Games after winning gold at the just concluded Austria Open in Vienna.

Jason-Humaira scored higher than teammates Seah Jing Ying-Randy Owen to win the gold in the mixed pair Under-30 category in their first competitive tournament this year on Sunday.

Earlier in the semi-finals, Jason-Humaira secured a timely boost to their SEA Games preparations by beating Thailand pairing of Chonlakorn Chayawatto-Kiew­lailerd Thanapat.

Jason also claimed silver while Randy won the bronze in the men’s individual Under-30 category. And national team newcomer Yow Mei Yee settled for bronze in the women’s individual Under-30 category.

Another new face Anuwath Sarat clinched gold in the boys’ individual Under-17 category.

The Austria Open is part of the World Taekwondo circuit for poomsae discipline and national coach Yap Yiih Ting was pleased with the performance of the SEA Games-bound exponents.

“Humaira has showed she is the ideal successor to her sister Nurul Hidayah Abdul Karim, who retired last year,” said Yiih Ting.

“We are happy with their overall performance as the Austria Open had attracted a quality overseas field this time.

“Mei Yee lost to the current world No. 1 ranked Eva Sandersen of Denmark in the individual semis.

“Jason-Humaira, with their experience and chemistry shared from winning bronze at the World Championships in Hong Kong in December last year, will be our main hopes to defend the mixed pair event at the SEA Games.

“There is no individual event at the SEA Games as the organisers are only doing the recognised team and mixed team events.”

At the last SEA Games in Cambodia two years ago, Jason partnered Hidayah to win the mixed pair event for Malaysia.