Miri and Bintulu boxers take up Limbang challenge

MIRI (Oct 21): A group of boxers from Miri and Bintulu teamed up to compete in tournament in Limbang held in conjunction with National Sports Day over the weekend.

The team of eight collected one gold, one silver and three bronze medals.

Miri’s 15-year-old Ethan Tinggang beat Stakan Kuching’s Adrick Nichole Alfres Nicholas for their solitary gold medal. Fellow Mirian Muhd Azmeer, 28, bagged the silver after he was forced to retire from injury against Brunei’s Lukman Hakin Muhd Anwar.

A third Miri fighter Romero Agan, 19, overcame Limbang’s Nicholas Antoros Maibin with a TKO to receive his bronze.

The boxers from Miri were led by coaches Gavin Mattu and Trevor Salang while the Bintulu fighters were led by coach Louise Ting. Gavin told The Borneo Post that his team represented the Miri Boxing Association which was recently formed to help uncover boxers with potential for the 2027 SEA Games.

“Of course, we will be starting small by bringing youths to the Malaysia Games (Sukma) before going further up,” he said.

On behalf of his team he also expressed delight with the opportunity to meet Sarawak boxing legend Sapok Biki who was the light flyweight gold medallist at the 1998 Commonwealth Games.