Sarawakian Azhad put on 10kg only to blaze muaythai trail
KUCHING (Aug 6): Azhad Haziq Syafaat Abdul Khalid carved his name into the local muaythai history by clinching the 80kg title at the National Combat Sports Championships (Pre-Sukma) & Muaythai National Grand Prix 2025 at Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur from July 24-27.
The 20-year-old from Petra Jaya displayed grit to overcome Iqmal Arif of Singapore's Gorilla Boxing Club in a fiercely contested final. It earned Azhad the coveted National Championship Belt and made him the first Sarawakian to claim the top national ranking in the 75-80kg weight class.
What made the feat even more remarkable was that Azhad wasn't even fighting in his natural weight class.
'This was an entirely new challenge for me,' Azhad told reporters during the thanksgiving and celebration dinner hosted by Sarawak State Muaythai Association president Jumaat Ibrahim at a local restaurant last Saturday.
'I usually compete in the 70kg category. To step into the 75–80kg bracket, I had to put on almost 10kg. It was my first time fighting opponents this size and it wasn't easy.'
Yet, under the bright lights and roaring crowd, Azhad dug deep to uncover the discipline, composure and heart to power his way to glory.
The Politeknik Kuching student saw the victory not just as a title but also a stepping stone to greater heights.
'This win motivates me to push myself further. I know I still have room to grow and I want to keep improving with every fight,' he said.
'While this win is special, my real focus will be to remain in the 70kg division where I feel most at home. That's where I'll continue to chase my dreams,' he added. Azhad Haziq Syafaat Abdul Khalid
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