Malaysian Women's Dodgeball Team Can Retain World Number One Ranking - Moriarty

PUTRAJAYA (Malaysia), Nov 11 (Bernama) -- Malaysia Dodgeball High Performance director, Jason Moriarty is confident the Malaysian women's dodgeball team can retain their world number one ranking. He said The Malaysian women's dodgeball team is in the top ranked team globally after winning its first gold medal in the 5th World Dodgeball Championships in Melbourne, Australia last month. "I have big confidence in Albert Tan (the technical coach). The team is w gearing for the next level in training method which I believe can bring the best from the players. "I can see that all the players are very inspired and raring to go and we are in good condition to face any team, especially in the next dodgeball world championships," he told reporters after the team achievement ceremony, organised by the Malaysian Association of Dodgeball (MAD) here, Thursday. Also present were Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports, M Saravanan and MAD president Samson Maman. Malaysian were ranked at the top after defeating Canada, the world number one and defending champion in the gold medal match by 6-5. The next World Dodgeball Championships is scheduled to be held in Canada. Moriarty said his team, a mix of university student and profesional workers trained five days a week, with one solid session comprising of technical aspect and building mental strength. "Although the world championship will only take place in October next year but as a gold medalist and reigning world number one, we have to be ready for the challenge. "We expect the Canadian team will want to avenge the defeat. As the host nation, they will certainly have big support from the local fans," he said, adding Australia and the United States are also difficult opponents. Dodgeball is a game in which players from two teams try to throw a ball at each other while avoiding being hit themselves, just like how a game of poison ball is played. --BERNAMA