KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s kickboxing exponents will be stepping into the unknown when they compete at the Philippines Sea Games in December.
Kickboxing is making its debut at the biennial Games this year.
The forte of Malaysia’s kickboxing exponents is Muay Thai.
Team manager Dr John Mohd Rahim is optimistic that the five-man squad will bring home at least one medal.
“Our fighters are seasoned Muay Thai exponents and have been training their kickboxing skills here at the National Sports Complex Gym 3 since March,” said Dr John.
“We do not have any problems in terms of preparation.
“But, as this is the first time the sport has been included in the Sea Games, we are not too sure how the setup will be and how the scoring system will be.
“We will, however, do our best to at least bring home one medal from the Philippines.”
Malaysia will be represented by Mohammed Mahmoud (63.5kg), Iffat Muizzuddin (60kg), Azizi Shamsudin (54kg), Awangku Abdul Rahman (51kg) and Chan Jia Yi (48kg).
Kickboxing national coach Khoo Meng Yang: “Our athletes have the power, speed and stamina needed to do well, they just need to get used to the rules which are a bit different,” said Meng Yang.
“They have to change their mindset. The kicking and punching are the same, but they cannot throw their knees and elbows, they need to control this.”
Meng Yang listed hosts Philippines and Indonesia as the favourites.
The competition will be held at the Cuneta Astrodome in Manila from Dec 7 to 10.