Sabahans crowned world champs in Muaythai
Published on: Tuesday, October 10, 2023
By: GL Oh
Dariss, Asyraf (middle) and Jia Chi
Kota Kinabalu: The all-Sabahan national team captured three golds, one silver and one bronze at the IFMA (International Federation of Muaythai Associations) Youth World Championship and U23 World Cup in Antalya, Turkey which ended on Sunday.
The newly crowned world junior champions are Dariss Muzzamiel, Asyraf Danial and Yan Jia Chi.
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Dariss defeated his Hong Kong opponent Ka Chun Mok in the final to take the wai kru individual male title and Jia Chi captured the wai kru female title by beating Rhichein Yosorez of the Philippines.
Dariss also delivered another gold with Asyraf in the maimuay duo male category with the defeat of Ka Chun Mok and Cheuk Fung Tymon Law from Hong Kong.
The silver came from Myra Arina and Derora Dane in the maimuay duo female category after the pair lost to their Philippine opponents Rhichein Yosorez and Alyssa Kylie Mallari in the final.
Eva Anastasia, who was the sole representative in the youth championship, won the bronze in the 48kg category of the 16-17 age group.
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Another member Nur Insyirah was unlucky to miss out on a podium finish after losing her quarterfinal tie to Thailand’s two-time world champion Arissara Noon-Eiad in the combat 45kg category.
Sabah Muaythai Association president Nazri Ab Razak, who only set two podium finishes for the team before the start of the competition, was delighted with the final results.
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“It was great to surpass our initial target to win three gold medals on the world stage by our Sukma athletes.
“We are proud of our achievement but we will not stop here . We will continue to train hard and there are more world championships after this,” he said.
Head coach Dhillon Tahing, who led the seven-member team, is also proud of the athletes.
“I am very satisfied with the achievements of the athletes, it showed that our standard is at par with the other international athletes.
“However, we will not be distracted by the success and our main target is still the Sukma Sarawak 2024 which I believe we will provide stern competition to other states.”
He also praised coach Mardiana Maulana for her input to guide Dariss, Asyraf and Jia Chi to win back-to-back world titles this year.
At the Bangkok IFMA Senior World Championship held in May, Dariss and Asyraf captured the mainmuay duo male title while Jia Chi also ruled supreme in the wai kru female category.
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