Sukma XXI: Sabah pencak silat team win four golds, three silvers, three bronzes

KUCHING (Aug 23): Sabah pencak silat team restored their status as one of the country’s powerhouses after winning four golds, three silvers and three bronzes in the 21st Malaysia Games (Sukma).

The squad had an unconvincing outing in the delayed 2022 Sukma in Kuala Lumpur with only five bronzes to show despite going into the Games as favourites having won five golds, three silvers and two bronzes in 2018 Sukma in Perak.

Sabah Silat Association president Datuk Iliyas Ibrahim said it was an unexpected achievement from the state athletes.

“We are extremely pleased with the results since we went into Sukma with the target of winning only two golds.

“Our athletes made it into seven finals and winning four of them…we have exceeded our target,” he said when contacted.

Iliyas said the athletes have been training hard since the last Sukma, including getting exposure at tournaments overseas.

“We are very thankful to the Youth and Sports Ministry and Sabah Sports Council for the assistance in team preparation for Sukma.

“Our athletes were able to compete outside of the country while bringing in silat exponents from Indonesia to train with the team.

“This has allowed our athletes to gain experience and exposure to be ready for the Games,” he added.

Held at the Stadium Bandaraya in Miri, the state opened the day with the first gold from Muhammad Razfadhlur Rahman Razaineh after beating Mohamad Ridhuan Sulaiman of the Federal Territories 40-30 in the men’s Class B 50kg-55kg final.

Muhammad Razfirdaus Razaineh doubled the gold shortly after with a 41-35 win over Muhammad Saiful Hazim Mazukhi of Kedah in the men’s Class C 55kg-60kg category.

In the men’s Class D 60kg-65kg, Awangku Tarmizal Ag Tamin was stretched to the limit before winning 26-25 to take the gold ahead of Kedah’s Muhammad Adam Tajudin.

Muhammad Hassan Mahmood added a fourth gold in the men’s Class I 85kg-90kg with a comfortable 39-19 win over Megat Razman Abd Rahman @ Ab Rahman.

Sabah were also involved in another three finals in the women’s category but settled for as many silvers.

They are Nur Ilyana Natasyah Abdullah who lost to Nur Nia Ramadhani Aleya Mohd Zaid 23-31 (Class C 55kg-60kg); Riezlynn Edelya Edtasha Ahmad Puzi lost to Nur Ayu Rohma Mohd Ihsan 29-31 (Class A 45kg-50kg); and Safia Umairah Hussin went down to Farra Irdina Mohd Zairi 18-29 (under-45kg).

Sabah had earlier in the pencak silat competitions won three bronzes through Nurtrisyah Bella Mohd Syah (women’s Creative Solo), Afiq Daniel Salman and Fazli Halim (men’s Duet) and Fadhli Hidayat Harun (men’s Individual).

Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Ellron Angin was at the venue to give support to the state silat exponents.