MISSION ACCOMPLISHED: The Sarawak muay thai team and officials posing for a group photograph with chef de mission Affandi Keli (centre) after the men’s 60-63.5 final bout on Saturday.
KUALA LUMPUR: Sarawak’s challenge in muay thai at Sukma XVI ended on a bright note when its sole men’s finalist Heendrew Lois Rekan won the gold medal in the men’s 60-63.5kg category at South City Plaza, Sri Kembangan late Saturday.
Heendrew was brilliant in the final bout, outpointing Muhammad Sahrin Afzan Abdul Mutalib of Selangor to hand Sarawak its only muay thai gold medal at the Games.
The state team captured one gold, two silvers and one bronze in the first muay thai competition held for Sukma.
According to team manager Johari Mohd Ali Othman, the team had achieved its target of contributing medals for the state contingent.
“Our target was to win medals in this competition and we are satisfied with the medal haul of one gold, two silvers and one bronze,” he said yesterday.
The silver medals were won by Ayu Arynafa Iza Azmi in the 42-45kg and Nurzafarisha Zafari in the 48-51kg while Ayu Azyanna Azmi won the bronze in the 45-48kg.
Johari felt that if not for their lack of experience the fighters could have won more gold medals as they were involved in close fights in the finals.
“Our fighters will have to train harder to uplift their standard and if possible, go for more exposure training ot tournaments,” he said.
He added that fighters from Kedah and Kelantan which are very near Thailand were more experienced because they were able to train or compete in competitions there.
“We are proud to say that we are an all-Sarawak team whereas other states ‘imported’ players from one state or another,” said Johari.