Punching power lacking as our boxers make the exit

SIMANGGANG: It was a frustrating night for the Sarawak in the quarterfinals of the boxing event in the 2024 Malaysia Games (SUKMA) here, despite the fighters giving their best.

Coach Helman Morni expressed pride in his young fighters for their commitment in the ring, despite being outmatched by their opponents.

Helman. Photo: Mohd Alif Noni

“Our boys gave their best and performed well. However, the outcome was not in our favour tonight,” he said after Sarawak’s last quarterfinal match at Sri Aman Indoor Stadium last night (Aug 19).

Helman had anticipated the fights to be challenging, especially for the new fighters, given the experience of their opponents.

Sarawak managed to win only one quarterfinal match last night, with Frederick Xian Bartholomew Albern securing a 5-0 victory against Mohammad Haikal Hakim Mohamad Noor from the Federal Territories in the men’s featherweight (54-57kg) category.

“Alhamdulillah, Frederick made it through. As for the others, perhaps it’s because they are still new to boxing.

“Still, they gave their best tonight, and I’m proud of them,” he added.

In the men’s flyweight (48-51kg) category, Peter Nyanggun Manchal lost to Selangor’s Mugammad Irfan Haikal Mohd Fazli 5-0.

Meanwhile, Syed Muhammad Hanafi Syed Affendi from Perak outperformed Sarawak’s Wan Dhia Danish Wan Muhammad Reza to win 4-1 win in the men’s light welterweight (60-63.5kg) category.

Marcos Robert suffered a major loss in the men’s middleweight (67-71kg) category against Jonathan John from Sabah, losing 5-0.

Another significant defeat for Sarawak occurred in the last quarterfinal match in the men’s light heavyweight (75-80kg) category, where Syahrul Wafie Khan Amran Khan lost to Pahang’s Muhamad Hazim Sahar Azmi 5-0.

Sarawak’s Wan Dhia Danish being comforted by his mother following his defeat to Perak’s Syed Muhammad Hanafi. Photo: Mohd Alif Noni