Sabahan Muaythai proponent proudly represents Malaysia at 2024 Olympic showcase
Published on: Thursday, August 08, 2024
By: Jessie Lee
Sabahan Muaythai practitioner Angie Yan Jia Chi (left) with two-time world senior champion Thanawan Thongduang from Thailand at the Paris Olympics. (Angie Yan Jia Chi pic)
Kota Kinabalu: A Sabahan Muaythai proponent recently represented Malaysia during a showcase of martial art at the Paris Olympics.
Angie Yan Jia Chi and fellow Malaysian Muaythai practitioner Rifdean Masdor were part of a prestigious three-day event aimed at promoting Muaythai to a global audience with the ultimate goal of securing the sport’s place in future Olympic games.
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Angie said she appreciated the opportunity and thanked the Malaysia Muaythai Association and its President, Datuk Muhammaad Shahnaz Azmi, for recognising her efforts.
“I am deeply honoured and grateful to have been chosen to participate in the Muaythai showcase, part of the Paris 2024 Olympics side programme,” she said to Daily Express.
She also took the opportunity to thank those who have supported her along the way.
“I would also like to express my profound gratitude to my mother, whose unwavering support and encouragement have been the backbone of my journey, and to Muaythai Sabah President Nazri Ab Razak, whose guidance and belief in me have been instrumental in reaching this milestone.
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“The experience was not only a personal achievement but also a chance to inspire and connect with people from all around the world,” she said.
Angie’s journey to this moment has been marked by a series of remarkable achievements.
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In 2022, she clinched the gold medal in the Maeymuay category at the Sukma Games, followed by another gold at the International Federation of Muaythai Associations (IFMA) Junior World Championship in Kuala Lumpur.
Her success continued into 2023, where she earned gold medals at both the IFMA Senior World Championship in Bangkok and the Junior World Championship in Turkey, both in the Waikru Solo category.
The same year, she triumphed at the World Combat Games in Riyadh.
Most recently, in 2024, Angie secured gold at the IFMA Senior World Championship in Patras, Greece, and at the National Muaythai Championship, further solidifying her status as one of Malaysia’s top Muaythai athletes.
Muaythai Malaysia shared on its Facebook page that the showcase at Paris 2024 was a significant opportunity for the sport to demonstrate its global appeal.
The event, which included simulated matches on August 5 and 6 featuring athletes from 24 countries and regions, was part of Muaythai’s bid for future Olympic inclusion.
Muaythai Malaysia also highlighted the lengthy process undertaken by IFMA to gain recognition from the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
“This process involved approvals from multiple bodies, including the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada), the Olympic Council of Asia, the Global Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF)/SportAccord, and the International World Games Association (IWGA), culminating in full IOC recognition in 2021.
“While Muaythai was not considered for inclusion in the Paris 2024 or Los Angeles 2028 Games, the sport is now aiming for inclusion in the 2032 or 2036 Olympics,” Muaythai Malaysia wrote.
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