MIRI: Sarawak’s Rusyaidi Fitri Nazir narrowly missed out on a final spot after a close 58-59 defeat to Kedah’s Muhammad Saiful Hazim Mazukhi in the silat men’s Class C category.
Rusyaidi told New Sarawak Tribune that while he was not satisfied with his semifinal performance, he believes his teammates have the potential to create upsets.
Rusyaidi did everything right, he remained calm and composed in all his rounds, however, perhaps he was short of luck.
“I accept today’s result and understand that perhaps my fate was only meant to reach the semifinals.
“I admit that the fight was a tough one because the fighter from Kedah was able to surpass the points I earned,” he said at the Miri Indoor Stadium last night (Aug 22).
Sports can be unfair; despite all of Rusyaidi’s efforts, the result was heartbreakingly close yet elusive.
Some might argue that he needed a bit more luck, that the referees might have made a technical mistake, or simply that his opponent was better.
The situation reflects a familiar theme in this year’s Malaysia Games (SUKMA) pencak silat event, where close calls and contentious decisions could have favoured Sarawak.
Nevertheless, two other Sarawak silat athletes, namely Nursyuhada Mohamad and Ummi Mashitah Hassan, have advanced to the semifinals, which will take place later today:.
Nursyuhada, competing against Melaka’s Nor Dini Zaharudin in the women’s Class E event, scored 113 points, surpassing Nor Dini’s 87.
In the women’s Class B category, Ummi Mashitah secured 56 points, defeating Perak’s A’innur Nabil Ainsyah Noor Hisham, who scored only 16 points.
