Silambam: Sarawak make semis in below 55kg event category

KUCHING: Sarawak’s Asyraff Aqil Mohamad Zainurrin Azm made it to the semifinals in the men’s individual poruthal silambam below 55kg event category in the ongoing 21st Malaysia Games (SUKMA) yesterday (Aug 20).

Asyraff secured his spot by defeating Terengganu’s Kirtigen Thurairaj Ramesh with a score of 18 points, surpassing Melaka’s Vasan Barathi Suresh, who earned 13 points.

On the other hand, Siti Balqis Alieya lost in the first round of the women’s poruthal below 50 kg event, leading to her disqualification from advancing to the next round.

Abang Arifnasrullah Abg Hussein made it to quarterfinal in the men’s poruthal 55-65kg event, but fell short of advancing to the semifinals, scoring 38 points.

His opponent, Sabah’s Zeqxvaly Rhajqhay Malor, secured 42 points to move forward.

Meanwhile, the women’s poruthal 50-60kg event, scheduled for Tuesday (Aug 20) afternoon, has been postponed to today (Aug 21).

The Sarawak’s silambam team are competing in 14 events, namely the men and women’s individual thanithiramai silamban stick event, men’s and women’s individual thanithiramai kuthu varisai event, men’s individual poruthal below 55kg event, women’s poruthal below 50 kg event, men’s poruthal 55-65kg event, women’s poruthal 50-60kg event, individual men’s poruthal 65-75kg event, individual women’s poruthal 60-70kg event, men’s individual poruthal above 75kg event, and women’s individual poruthal above 70kg event.

The team will also compete in the synchronised bare hand and synchronised weapon event.

The silambam competition which is taking place at the Hikmah Exchange Event Centre started on Tuesday (Aug 20) and will run until Aug 22.