Sarawak Muaythai team sets sights on gold medals in Sukma XXI

BINTULU (Aug 17): The Sarawak Muaythai team is preparing for the final showdown in the Malaysia Games (Sukma) XXI Waikru and Mai Muay events with gold medals in their sights.

The final matches have been rescheduled to Aug 19 at 2pm, according to Sarawak Muaythai (Waikru and Mai Muay) coach Roslan Johani. The final had originally been slated for today.

Five athletes will be competing in four final events — the women’s Mai Muay duo with Nur Arifah Mahsunah Baharom and her partner Ain Arisya Zulkeplie; women’s Waikru solo Nur Iklil Zarifah Mohamad Affandi; men’s Waikru solo Mifdhal Wafiy Ayatullah; and men’s Mai Muay duo with Mohamad Azrell Saifullah Abdullah and Mifdhal.

Roslan said he decided to slightly reduce training hours to ensure the athletes are in peak condition for the finals.

“We want our athletes to be 100 per cent fresh for the finals. With this extra day, we will focus on improving any weaknesses. The team’s condition is excellent, especially with the various facilities provided by the Sarawak Sports Council such as physiotherapy.

“These facilities will give our athletes a significant advantage to be in optimal condition,” he told The Borneo Post.

He said they are aiming to win at least one gold medal and was optimistic the incentives announced by Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg on Friday would boost the athletes’ morale, potentially leading to more than one gold medal.

“Initially, we targeted the women’s duo but after observing early rounds, I believe our men’s solo Waikru and men’s duo Mai Muay can surprise everyone in the finals,” he said.

Roslan said for the scoring criteria for the solo Waikru, scores are based on the types of movements performed; balance; and facial expressions in sync with the music.

He said Mai Muay combines Waikru and Boran and the scoring for the duo Waikru is similar to the solo event, while Boran scoring focuses on realism, defense and power.