By Yee Xiang Yun

Participants find ways to beat opponents

Getting a few bruises did not stop Khaisha Khalid and her team mates from joining in a competition that is dominated by men.

The 26-year-old student said that playing paintball had helped toughen her to face challenges.

Her team Bellicose was the only female team at the Malaysian Paintball Open Circuit in Johor Baru which ended its fifth and final leg recently.

"It is the second time we participated in the competition and I think it was our best performance.

"I am proud of the girls for beating male teams to finish at fourth spot," she said, adding that she had been involved in the game for the past two years.

Khaisha, who had been injured many times, is an ardent fan of the game and did not mind travelling from Pahang to take part in the competition.

"Paintball has taught me to be strong and strive to be the best I can be," she quipped.

Meanwhile, Kuala Lumpur team Demonzred, emerged as overall champion.

Team captain Wong Siew Fai, 34, attributed their success to the hard work and sacrifices made by the team members, especially their attendance at training sessions.

Khaisha (second from right) and her team mates

Organiser Allan Phang said there were 34 teams from all over the country and some from the Philippines and Singapore.

"The five-legged tournament started in Bukit Jalil in February and moved on to Penang and Gombak before ending in Johor on Oct 26.

"The teams were categorised into four divisions - division one being of the highest difficulty-level and speed and division four being the lowest," he said.

Phang, who was a member of the division one Johor-leg winning team X-Menz, said he was happy with the way the competition turned out.

A team member, Nicholas Wong, praised the team for its good performance.

"I think the win is due to our camaraderie and team spirit as we have been friends for many years.

"We train together and have been playing competitively in the Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand and recently in Toulouse, France," said the 27-year-old, who owns a paintball shop.

Wong encouraged more people to take part in the sport as it promoted a healthy lifestyle.

"It is good for the brain as the players need to think up strategies to get the better of the opposition," he said.

Prize presentation