MALACCA (31/7/2022): Mohd. Al Jufferi Jamari achieved his fourth world championship in style as he won the closing bout of the 19th World Pencak Silat Championship. The final day of the 19th World Pencak Silat Championship also witnessed some exhilarating action at Ayer Keroh as the national silat contingent won four golds on the final day of the “Tanding” event.
The glorious success of the silat exponent who hails from Pahang succeeded Malaysian National Silat Federation (PESAKA)’s target in winning seven gold medals in the championship. Malaysia won three gold medals in yesterday’s artistic event while bringing back five silver medals in the whole championship.
Competing in Class F (70-75kg) category, Mohd. Al Jufferi was as cool as a cucumber in spite of fighting in front of more than 1,000 spectators including Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
Mohd. Al Juferi received a strong challenge from the 2018 Asian Games gold medallist, Iqbal Chandra Pratama as the Indonesian based fighter kept hindering Mohd. Al Juferi’s gold medal winning chances with vicious blows throughout the beginning of the match.
The tables were quickly turned in a few minutes as the four-time SEA games champion dominated Iqbal in the last two rounds to win 35-21 in style.
On the other hand, three more gold medals were contributed by the national contingent in Melaka International Trade Center (MITC), through Muhammad Robial Sobri, Nor Izzatul Fazlia Mohamad Tahir and Nor Farah Mazlan victories.
Muhammad Robial’s acquired his first World Championship in contusion after defeating Singapore’s Muhammad Nurshahfareeq Shahrudin. The Singaporean was given a five-point deduction and then disqualified upon re-evaluation by the juries for illegally punching Muhammad Robial on the chin while leading 23-16.
The silat exponent who hails from Kedah lost consciousness on stage and was eventually taken to the hospital. The gallant success of the national contingent was followed by Nor Farah’s hard-fought victory over another opponent from the land of the “lion city” Nadhrah Sahrin in the Women’s Class A category (45-50kg).
Having an experience of finishing as a runner-up in the 2018 championship in Singapore, Nor Farah applied her vast experience by acquiring her first ever world title with 25-23 victory.
The national contingent, buoyed by the success of its nine finalists in the final day of the “Tanding” event saw Nor Izzatul Fazlia kickstarting the Malaysia’s quest for gold by defeating Vietnam’s Lo Thi Tuoi 20-0 in the Open 2 (100kg>) category.
Silver medals were further obtained through Aizad Akbar who lost 17-49 to Indonesia’s Khoirudin Mustakim in the Class A (45-50kg) while Mohammad Khairi Adib Azhar withdrew in the middle of the match against Singapore’s Aniq ‘Asri Mohammad Yazid.
Meanwhile, Siti Rahmah Mohamed Nasir’s desire in extending her five-time world championship record was stalled as she lost 35-60 in the Class F (70-75kg) category to Vietnam’s Quang Thi Thu Nghia. This marked her second consecutive defeat to the Vietnamese after losing her decisive gold medal match in the Hanoi SEA Games
Siti Shazwana Ajak narrowly lost 20-25 to Indonesia’s Atifa Fismawati in the Class D (60-65kg) category to gift Malaysia its fifth silver medal in the “Tanding” event while Olivia Chong was tamed by Thailand’s Puntiyakon Pimpisan.
The 19th World Pencak Silat Championship, which has a participation entry from 40 nations across the globe reached its climax today as Indonesia finished as overall champions (11 Golds, 9 Silver and 8 Bronze), Malaysia finishing its campaign as overall runners up with (7 Golds, 8 Silver and 8 Bronze) while Vietnam finished its campaign as second runner up with (6 Golds, 4 Silvers and 11 Bronze).
