S’wak muaythai fighters ready to rumble in Sukma 

BINTULU (Aug 13): Sarawak can count on its muaythai fighters to win two gold medals in the upcoming Sukma. The muaythai competition will be held at Naim Paragon Mall here from August 15 to 20.

Sarawak head coach Muhd Azan Mohd Nadzri is optimistic that his charges will hit the medal target. The squad comprises 19 athletes, including 14 in the combat category and five in the mai muay (arts) category. It includes five females for combat and three for mai muay.

“I have high hopes that all 19 athletes will be able to achieve victory and bring glory to Sarawak,” Azan told the media after attending a dinner with Tanjung Batu assemblyman Johnny Pang Leong Ming and Sarawak athletes at Fairfield by Marriott Bintulu Paragon on Sunday night.

The Sukma-bound fighters recently underwent a two-month training stint in Kelantan and Koh Samui in Thailand.

“The Sarawak athletes are in peak physical and mental condition,” said coach Roslan Johani who also highlighted the advantage of home ground for the Sarawak team.

They arrived at Bintulu Airport at 2:10pm on Saturday and are staying at the Fairfield by Marriott Hotel.

The athletes are training at PS Muaythai Gym Bintulu before the competition commences.

Training for the mai muay, which is a new category in the sport, is managed by Roslan.

“Personally, the strength of Team Sarawak this time lies in the athletes’ readiness and intensive training both domestically and internationally.

“As the host, the support from Sarawak supporters will undoubtedly fuel their spirit to strive for gold medals,” Roslan added.