Mohammad Johan Ghazali Zulfikar from Sarawak has won the 14-15 (under 60kg) division title at the 2022 IFMA World Youth Muay Thai Championship.
He defeated Russian athlete Rustam Yunusob 20-18 in the finals on Saturday at the Sunway Pyramid Convention Center, Petaling Jaya.
Mohammad Johan, represents the Malaysian Muay Thai Association (PMM – Malaysia A), showed no fear, aggressively knocking down his opponent in front of thousands of home supporters.
The victory was boosted when the SMK St Thomas Kuching student was named Best Boxer-Outstanding Male Athlete as a result of his achievement.
Muhammad Mikail Ghazali Zulfikar, Mohammad Johan’s younger brother who also represented PMM (Malaysia A), earned gold in the IFMA World Muaythai Grand Slam division (Junior 12-13 Male Youth 36-40kg).
He also took bronze in the Junior 12-13 Men’s Under 40kg division.
Texas Jeremy Lo, a fellow Sarawakian who competed on the PMM (Malaysia A) ticket, earned a silver medal after losing in the final against Russian opponent Sarkhan Alberov, who represented IFMA.
Sarawak’s female athletes performed well as well, with siblings Nur Afiqah Musfirah Baharom and Nur Arifah Mahsunah Baharom earning silver in the Muay Boran category (Mae Muay open category).
Nur Haina Aisyah Muhamad Haikal Jenil also achieved silver in the IFMA Youth 30kg division.
Jumaat Ibrahim, president of the Sarawak State Muay Thai Association (PMNS), complimented all Sarawakian competitors on their achievement at the global tournament when asked.
He stated that their accomplishment demonstrated Sarawak’s ability to produce prominent muay thai stars on par with world level athletes.
He also stated that it demonstrated that all of the development programmes established by PMNS and supported by local muay thai clubs each year yielded results.
“Their achievements are the result of support and support from all parties such as the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Sarawak Entrepreneur Development; Sarawak Sports Corporation (SSC); Sarawak State Sports Council (MSNS); clubs; coaches; and athletes themselves to see muay thai sport in Sarawak continue grow and go further.
“I would also like to thank the Malaysian Muaythai Association (PMM) for trusting us by sponsoring Sarawak athletes to participate in this world championship,” he said.
Jumaat also anticipated that Sarawak’s athletes will maintain their winning streak at the Kuala Lumpur Malaysia Games (Sukma) upcoming month.