KUCHING: Mohammad Johan Ghazali Zulfikar has made Sarawak proud after winning the 14-15 years old -60kg title at the 2022 International Federation of Muaythai Associations (IFMA) World Youth Championships.
He bested his Russian opponent Rustam Yunusob 20-18 in the final held at Sunway Pyramid Convention Centre in Selangor last Saturday (Aug 20).
The SMK St Thomas Kuching student, who represented Malaysian Muaythai Association (PMM-Malaysia A), was also crowned Best Boxer — Outstanding Male Athlete.
His younger brother, Muhammad Mikail, also representing PMM-Malaysia A, bagged gold in the 12-13 years old 36-40kg category. He won a bronze in the 12-13 years old -40kg category.
Fellow Sarawakian and teammate Texas Jeremy Lo took home a silver after being defeated by Sarkhan Alberov, representing IFMA, in the final.
Meanwhile, the female exponents also did well, with siblings Nur Afiqah Musfirah Baharom and Nur Arifah Mahsunah winning silver in the Muay Boran category (mae muay open category). Nur Haina Aisyah Haikal Jenil won a silver in the 30kg category.
Sarawak Muaythai Association (PMNS) president Jumaat Ibrahim said this success proved that Sarawak was capable of producing top Muaythai exponents.
He added that it also showed that the development programmes planned by PMNS and supported by local Muaythai clubs were bearing fruit.
Jumaat thanked the Sarawak Sports Corporation (SSC) and Sarawak Sports Council (MSNS) for their continuous support in the betterment of the sport.
“Not forgetting the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Entrepreneur Development, Malaysian Muaythai Association, clubs, coaches and the exponents themselves.”
