Kuala Lumpur: Even though the 2023 SEA Games in Cambodia is Mohd Shahrul Zeckry Sulaiman’s debut at international level, he has to tough act to follow.This is because the 23-year-old silat exponent from Kota Kinabalu, Sabah is the new backup for the Putra F class (70-75 kg) to replace former world champion Mohd Al Jufferi Jamari for this Games in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
“There is a little pressure and burden because I am replacing Al Jufferi’s class, but I must be 100 per cent confident in myself,” he told reporters recently.
Mohd Shahrul said that even though it was his first time competing at the international level, national martial arts coach Nasri Nasir and other senior athletes gave him a lot of guidance and advice in facing the challenges of foreign martial artists.
“They (senior athletes) teach how to fight, how to overcome resistance from the opponent in the court and good techniques to use,” he said.
Mohd Shahrul won a place in the national squad this February, after winning the gold medal at the 20th National Silat Championship in Johor last December.
He will open the national squad challenge campaign at the SEA Games at the Chroy Changvar Convention Centre Sunday.
