Kota Kinabalu: Young Sabahan Muay Thai athlete Angie Yan Jia Chi is aiming even higher after winning gold in the Wai Kru category at last year’s SEA Games, proving that a late start does not mean finishing behind.
“My goal is to keep training, improve myself and compete at higher levels,” said the 21-year-old.
Her message to young girls in Sabah who dream of Muay Thai or other competitive sports is simple and grounded.
“Go slowly, stay consistent and challenge yourself. Don’t compare yourself to others — focus on your own progress. Every small step counts.”
Yan’s gold medal shines not only as a symbol of victory, but also of perseverance. At the SEA Games, she overcame knee injuries, intense pressure and months of isolation from her family to stand on top of the podium.
In Muay Thai, Wai Kru is more than a ritual. It is a ceremonial dance performed before every fight, honouring teachers, tradition and the fighter’s journey. Each movement carries deep cultural meaning, linking athletes to generations before them.
That was the world Yan stepped into when she arrived in Thailand for the 33rd SEA Games — not as a native of Muay Thai’s homeland, but as a Sabahan athlete carrying Malaysia’s hopes.
Unlike many competitors, Yan learned Wai Kru later in her career. Her early years in Muay Thai focused on combat, endurance and survival in the ring.
“My focus was mainly on fighting first. Wai Kru came later, when I began to understand the culture and its meaning,” she said.
Performing Wai Kru on Thai soil came with intense scrutiny. The atmosphere, she admitted, was far more demanding than any competition she had faced before.
Behind her calm performance was a quiet struggle. Yan trained through constant knee pain, balancing recovery, university studies and preparation for the Games. As the competition neared, she stayed away from home for nearly a year to focus fully on training.
The sacrifice paid off. In the final, Yan faced a familiar opponent — a fighter she trained with — under the added pressure of Thailand being the host nation.
“I reminded myself of all the sacrifices I had made and how far I had come. That kept me going,” she said.
When her gold medal was confirmed, Yan did not celebrate wildly. Instead, she stood still, absorbing the moment.
“I felt relief, happiness and disbelief. Everything felt quiet. I thought about my training, my family and the journey.”
Throughout it all, one constant source of strength was her mother.
“She has always believed in me, no matter how difficult things became.”
Asked how she remains composed under pressure, Yan’s answer is straightforward: “I trust my training and focus on what I can control.”
Despite her success, she remains humble, drawing inspiration not from a single role model, but from the resilience of Malaysian athletes as a whole.
