Mohammad Johan Ghazali Zulfikar, a participant from Sarawak, won the 14–15 division (under 60 kg) championship in the 2022 IFMA World Youth Muay Thai Championship.
He won the match against Russian competitor Rustam Yunusob 20-18 on Saturday at the Sunway Pyramid Convention Center in Petaling Jaya.
The glory was made more sweeter by the news that the SMK St Thomas Kuching student later received the Best Boxer-Outstanding Male Athlete award.
He is Muhammad Mikail Ghazali Zulfikar, Mohammad Johan’s younger brother, who won gold in the IFMA World Muaythai Grand Slam division while competing for PMM (Malaysia A) as well (Junior 12-13 Male Youth 36-40kg).
He also achieved a bronze medal in the Junior 12-13 Men’s Under 40kg category.
Texas Jeremy Lo, a fellow Sarawakian who competed on the PMM (Malaysia A) ticket but lost to Russian competitor Sarkhan Alberov of IFMA in the final, brought a silver medal.
Sarawak’s female athletes also perform brilliance with sisters Nur Afiqah Musfirah Baharom and Nur Arifah Mahsunah Baharom winning silver in the Muay Boran category (Mae Muay open category).
Another silver came from Nur Haina Aisyah Muhamad Haikal Jenil in the IFMA Youth 30kg category.
When reached, Jumaat Ibrahim, president of the Sarawak State Muay Thai Association (PMNS), expressed his appreciation to all Sarawakian fighters on their accomplishments at the global championship.
He said their success proved that Sarawak is capable of producing famous muay thai stars who are on par with international level athletes.
He added that it also showed that all the development programmes planned by PMNS and supported by local muay thai clubs every year produced results.
“Their achievements are the result of support and support from all parties such as the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Sarawak Entrepreneur Development; Sarawak Sports Corporation (SSC); Sarawak State Sports Council (MSNS); clubs; coaches; and athletes themselves to see muay thai sport in Sarawak continue grow and go further.
“I would also like to thank the Malaysian Muaythai Association (PMM) for trusting us by sponsoring Sarawak athletes to participate in this world championship,” he said.
Jumaat also hoped Sarawak’s athletes would continue on their momentum of success at the Kuala Lumpur Malaysia Games (Sukma) next month.