KUCHING: Sarawak's athletes shone at the Sabah Muaythai Championship 2024, held at Aeropod in Kota Kinabalu from Feb 29 to March 4, the Sarawak Public Communications Unit reported.
The team, representing both the Sarawak Sports Corporation (SSC)/Sarawak State Sports Council (MSNS) and five clubs, clinched an impressive haul of 13 gold, six silver, and six bronze medals.
The SSC/MSNS squad stood out with five athletes - Mohd Izzat Zulfaqar Hazrid, Muhd Nurizman Abdullah, Muhd Nuraikal Ismail, Maurien Hii Sie Lin, and Intan Nirmala Mosidi - each winning a gold medal.
The team also added three silver and three bronze medals to Sarawak's tally through the efforts of Nur Azirah Mohamad Yudi, Nurashfidah Daud, Mohamad Hasbullah Mood, Muhammad Khuzairi Zaidie, Zulhizam Zulhisham, and Muhammad Nur Aiman Kamaruddin.
Five clubs contributed significantly to the medal count, with eight gold, three silver, and three bronze medals.
Notable gold medalists include Muhammad Hakim Abdullah and Hani Annisa Ismail from Sting Muaythai Sarawak; Declan Casey Daniel and Damian Casey Daniel from Kelab Muaythai D30 Miri; Rizz Ezzandy Iswandy from Kelab Muaythai Kenyalang; Mohamad Nur Zikir Aryan Mohd Nazri from Kelab Muaythai Kilas Petra Jaya; and Jonnah Barrac David Lambek and Brian Issac Rhonald from Kelab Muaythai PS Bintulu.
Silver medals were secured by Nuno Redzha Norazli and Azra Elhariz Azly from Sting Muaythai Sarawak, and Ezra Laxhman from Kelab Muaythai D30 Miri, while Dylan Casey Daniel, Zayne Akash Laxhman from Kelab Muaythai D30 Miri, and Muhammad Zachary Abdullah from Kelab Muaythai PS Bintulu brought home the bronze.
Sarawak Muaythai Association President Haji Jumaat Ibrahim said he was satisfied with the Sarawak athletes' performance, especially those listed in the shadow squad for Sukma 2024. The five gold medals won by Sukma shadow athletes signal a promising outlook for the squad at the actual event in August.
"Congratulations to the Sarawak athletes who won medals at the Sabah Muaythai Championship 2024, especially the gold medalists from our Sukma shadow squad.
"This is part of the exposure series we will provide to our athletes to strengthen their preparation both physically and mentally.
"After this, many more championships like this await our athletes as Sukma approaches," he said.
Jumaat also urged the athletes to continue training diligently for the upcoming Sukma tournament and praised the athletes from the five clubs who contributed to the medal tally.
"The commitment shown by local clubs in participating in this championship to bring honour to Sarawak is greatly admired and appreciated.
"Undoubtedly, we will continue to monitor those who show potential and may include them in the Sarawak squad," he said.