Muhammad Rasdenal Haikal and veteran Khir Akyazlan Bin Azmi were among the winners at the Malaysian National Cup
The Malaysian National Cup was held in Nilai Sports Complex which is about 50 km from the capital city, Kuala Lumpur. All of the Boxing Associations of the Malaysian states, the Malaysian Armed Forces and the Royal Malaysia Police will be attended in the event. Malaysia’s best future hope Muhammad Rasdenal Haikal and their most experienced veteran Khir Akyazlan Bin Azmi were among the winners in the National Cup.
The Covid-19 pandemic seriously affected the Malaysians but the country has the strategic plans to compete and prepare to all of the big events in 2022. Their Uzbek head coach, Mr. Rustam Saidov had many difficulties this year but he led training sessions for the team and developed their defensive skills.
Altogether 87 elite male boxers competed in the National Cup where 12 champions have been crowned. Four teams claimed titles in the National Cup and thirteen squads bagged at least one medal in the event.
The Southeast Asian Games is their next target which will be held in Hanoi, Vietnam in May 13-23 and that competition is the most important for the Malaysians. The planning date of the ASBC Asian Elite Boxing Championships is June which follows the Commonwealth Games to be held in Birmingham, England in the end of July. The next multisport event in 2022 is the Asian Games which will take place in Hangzhou, China on September.
Penang’s young hope Pavithran Rajini Kanth was the main favourite for the gold medal at the minimumweight (48kg) and he has done good job against Mohamed Shahrazi Bin Sepri but his opponent was picked as the winner of the narrowest contests of the finals. One of the national team members, Muhammad Abdul Qaiyum Bin Ariffin achieved only bronze medal in the National Cup.
Malaysia has got also strong traditions at the flyweight (51kg) and the favourite of the category, Penang’s 20-year-old Muhammad Rasdenal Haikal won the title proving his progress and future potential. His final opponent, Muhammad Khairul Hakimy Bin Abdullah injured in the second round due to Rasdenal Haikal’s powerful shots and the ringside doctor stopped their final bout.
Penang’s third finalist, Sheik Rahmatullah Bin Ibrahim earned the gold medal at the bantamweight (54kg) following his narrow triumphs over Jackson Chambai Anak Ikeh and Muhammad Azwan Bin Mohamed Nor. The fourth title of the Malaysian National Cup was achieved by James Wong Lee Onn who had successes also in the previous events and defeated Johor’s Norshahrul Nizam Bin Norsukeri.
Sarawak’s Daeloniel McDelon Bong is also member of the new Malaysian national team and the young prospect earned the title of the lightweight (60kg) after beating Mohamad Zulkhailane Bin Mohamed Noor in the final following his KO success in the last four. One of the national team members, experienced Amirul Hakim Bin Sakila claimed only bronze medal in National Cup.
Terengganu’s Mohamad Akram Bin Rasit had a tough job at the light welterweight (63.5kg) in the National Cup but he was able to beat another future hope, Muhammad Saiful Idham Bin Azuan. Ahmad Hafiezuddin Bin Roslan was not the main favourite for the gold medal at the welterweight (67kg) but he managed to win the final against Terengganu’s experienced Halim Izani Bin Sulaiman.
Muhammad Firdaus Bin Kamarulzaman represented Malaysia in the international events in 2019 and prepared hard during the Covid-19 period to be in top form. His efforts paid off in the final of the light middleweight (71kg) against Mohamed Helmi Chieng Bin Mohamed Firdaus Chien. Ten boxers attended at the middleweight (75kg) in the National Cup and their Ng Zhang Zheng of Penang claimed the title after beating Hashmil Bin Nashrin and Muhammad Fitry Bin Othman.
Malaysia’s most experienced national team member Khir Akyazlan Bin Azmi competed in his first international event in 2009 and after 12 years of experiences, he was too strong for all of his opponents at the light heavyweight (80kg) including Kaushan Mogan Al Mogan in the final. The remaining two finals were won by Mahamad Rahidi Bin Mahmud (86kg) and strong Indran Al Ramakrishnan (92kg).
List of the winners in the Malaysian National Cup
48kg: Mohamed Shahrazi Bin Sepri 51kg: Muhammad Rasdenal Haikal 54kg: Sheik Rahmatullah Bin Ibrahim 57kg: James Wong Lee Onn 60kg: Daeloniel McDelon Bong 63.5kg: Mohamad Akram Bin Rasit 67kg: Ahmad Hafiezuddin Bin Roslan 71kg: Muhammad Firdaus Bin Kamarulzaman 75kg: Ng Zhang Zheng 80kg: Khir Akyazlan Bin Azmi 86kg: Mahamad Rahidi Bin Mahmud 92kg: Indran Al Ramakrishnan
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