MALAYSIA UPDATED. It was the last match of the day in muay. It was against Myanmar’s local hero. And there were thousands of volatile and intimidating home fans. But Malaysia’s Mohd Faizal Ramli rose above it all when he fought bravely to silence the home crowd with a sensational 3-0 win over Aung Myint Win in the 75kg bout at the Wunna Theikdi Sports Complex on Saturday. It was Malaysia’s second gold medal in muay after Mohd Lokman Akimi Mat Raji had beaten Nguyen Ngo Trieu Nhat of Vietnam 3-0. This is the first time that Malaysia are taking part in muay competition in the Games. Even the 24-year-old Faizal could not believe that he had pulled off the unthinkable by winning Malaysia’s last gold of the Games – the 43rd. “Honestly, I did not doubt my capability but the thought of being a victim of biased judging did cross my mind ... after all, I was fighting against a Myanmar exponent in the last match and they had just won three gold medals,” he said.“But I fought my heart out today and scored good marks with accurate punches and kicks.” He admitted that the crowd was rather intimidating.“I couldn’t even hear the cheering and words of encouragement from my coach and team-mates. The fans were really loud and kept chanting ‘Myanmar, Myanmar’. “I blocked out all the distractions and kept my spirits high. I remembered all the hard work and training I had put in and just kept throwing punches and striking him with my knees and elbows. “Right now, I am just so happy to have kept the Jalur Gemilang flying high for muay,” said the full-time trainee, who thanked all the coaching and team staff for their support before being whisked off for a random dope test. Team manager Saifulnizam Mohd Shahar said that the double gold medal success has given Malaysian muay a huge lift and that they will appeal for it to be included in the next SEA Games in Singapore. Besides the two gold medals, muay also won three bronze medals through Mohd Sukri Hassan (48kg), Ain Kamaruddin (57kg) and Mohd Rafi Abdul Manaf (60kg).thestar.com.my
MALAYSIA UPDATED. Father-to-be Mohd Lokman Akimi Mat Raji leapt in sheer joy after punching his way to Malaysia’s first ever Muay gold medal in the SEA Games inside a sardine-packed hall at the Wunna Theikdi Sports Complex here on Saturday.
The 24-year-old Lokman, oblivious to the deafening noise by the delirious and fanatical crowd, went on the offensive from the start to beat Vietnam’s Nguyen Ngo Trieu Nhat 3-0 in the 51kg final.
After winning two rounds with his impressive upper arm skills, Lokman took it easy in the third and fortunately his opponent failed to take advantage.
The skinny police constable dedicated his sensational victory to his soon-to-be-born baby. His wife Noraini Che Husna is expected to deliver in March.
The Pasir Mas-born Lokman was happy that all his sacrifices had paid off.
He had to stay away from his family for more than a month during the intensive training stint with his team-mates in Bangkok, Thailand.
And he also had to go on a diet to shed four kilos to be able to compete in the 51kg event.
“I am so thankful right now ... words cannot describe my happiness. I have won Muay’s first gold for Malaysia in the SEA Games,” said a trembling Lokman.
When asked why he was shaking, he said: “I have lost four kilos over the last two months and the final bout was punishing. My body is still reacting to it.
“But it is all worth it. This is for my soon-to-be-son. My wife will be very happy. All the hard work, sacrifices and punishing training has paid off.”
Malaysia are taking part in Muay for the first time in the SEA Games and Lokman was delighted to have made a breakthrough in the sport.
“All this would not have happened if not for the support of Persatuan Muay Malaysia (PMM), NSC (National Sports Council) and the police force. I hope they will continue their support for the sport,” added Lokman, who took up the sport when he was 14.
Head coach Bernard Radin, however, wished that there were some crowd control inside the hall to prevent a tragedy from happening.
Thousands of fans pushed themselves into every empty space inside the stadium including the players’ entrance area.
“We know Myanmar love this sport but they should not have allowed everyone to enter the packed hall. This is not right and can pose a security threat to the athletes,” said Bernard.thestar.com.my
VIETNAM UPDATED. Vietnam Sports Delegation continues to grab more six gold medals in chess, shooting, athletics and Muay on December 17.
At this time, Vietnam had 48 gold medals and still ranks the second position in the medals tally at the 27th SEA Games after Thailand.
In the fast chess category, chess player Nguyen Ngoc Truong Son was given a gold medal after drawing in the last game of chess.
This is the second gold medal that Nguyen Ngoc Truong Son grabbed in the 27th SEA Games. Earlier, Truong Son won a gold medal in blitz chess event.
The other Vietnamese players Nguyen Duc Hoa won one more silver medal in the same category. In the women's blitz chess category, Pham Le Thao Nguyen also grabbed a silver medal for Vietnam Sports Delegation.
In the Muay, Vietnamesese athlete Bui Thi Quynh beat Thailand to bring one more gold medal in women’s 48kg weight category.
In the women’s 100 meters athletics, Vu Thi Huong contributed to Vietnam more one gold medal with a victory of 11 seconds.
In the men’s 5000 meters athletics, athlete Nguyen Van Lai brought a gold medal with achievement of 14 minutes 19 seconds. Also in athletics category, Do Thi Thao and Vu Thi Ly grabbed a gold and silver medal in women’s 800 meters athletics.
In shooting category, shooters Trieu Thi HoaHong, Le Ngoc Mai and Nguyen Thuy Dung achieved 1.706 points and were given a gold medal.
In archery, in the final round of women's team archery competition, Loc Thi Dao, Duong Thi Kim Lien and Nguyen Thi Quyen Trang won a silver medal after losing to Indonesia.
In rowing, Vietnamese women rowing athletes included Bui Thi Nhat, Nguyen Thi Trinh and Pham Thi Thao competed excellently to grab one silver medal, scoring a victory in 7 minutes 9 seconds. Myanmar won a gold medal with achievement of 7 minutes 7 seconds.
In men’s team crowing category, Vietnam team was given a bronze medal. Gold medal went to Indonesia and the silver medal went to Thailand.
In women’s volleyball category, Vietnamese women volleyball team will attend in the final round after Vietnam beat Malaysia with a victory 3-0 in the last time. Accordingly, Vietnam will meet Thailand in the final round.
