JOHOR BAHRU − They may be young but these three martial arts exponents from Johor – 18-year-old Nurul Syafiqah Amirah Rosli, 16-year-old Damia Husna Azian and 25-year-old Tee Jac Yoe − are certainly not short on confidence.
Although they will be up against more than 60 other exponents from all over the world in the 2021 World Muay Thai Championships − to be held in Bangkok, Thailand from December 3-12 − the trio are optimistic of striking gold.
The trio are undergoing intensive training under 23-year-old coach Hayatun Najihin − who is a former mixed martial arts (MMA) exponent and 2018 ONE Championship winner − as well as 40-year-old senior trainer Melvin Yeoh, the former national muay thai and MMA champion.
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Nurul, who is set to compete in the women’s senior Under-23 category, said that although she was nervous about taking on the world’s best, she intends to lean on her coaches’ advice and pointers to achieve her dream of returning with the gold medal in her maiden world-level competition.
“I will surely do my best (for the gold medal). For now, I am undergoing intensive training,” she said when met by Bernama at the MMA Academy here today, adding that she also learnt from her brother, Md Shahfid, who also happens to be a muay thai coach in Johor.
Meanwhile, Damia, who will compete in the 16 to 17-year-old age group, said the gold medal was an achievable target provided she remained focused and trained consistently.
She added that although hand and leg injuries were common in muay thai, they would not deter her from giving her best at the world meet.
As for Jac Yoe, he intends to make sure that he uses the correct technique and skills to down his opponents while − at the same time − maintain his stamina, which he said could be his recipe for success.
“I am fully focused on my training each day and night. So, I am confident that my sacrifices − in terms of time and commitment − will stand me in good stead as I go for gold,” said Jac Yoe, who will compete in the men’s elite category.
All three qualified on merit and are expected to leave for Bangkok on November 30. – Bernama, November 17, 2021
