KUCHING (4 MARCH): The Sarawak silat contingent’s hope to hunt for glory in the Sarawak Premier International Silat Championship 2023 looks promising as their team displayed an electrifying performance in their respective semifinal fixtures.

The fourth day of the inaugural championship saw Sarawak silat exponents continuing their excellent form in the junior & senior category as they managed to book their slots in the final which is scheduled to take place at the Kuching Indoor Stadium in Sarawak tomorrow.

Sarawak’s gallant run in the SPISC 2023 also caught the attention of the Deputy Prime Minister II, YB Datuk Sri Fadillah Yusof who commended the contingent’s impressive run in the tournament.

During his short visit to the championship venue this morning, YB Datuk Sri Fadillah iterated that he was impressed and proud with Sarawak silat exponent’s high level of seriousness and sportsmanship throughout the championship.

Josh Chua (right) in action against Melaka’s Muhammad Amirul Hakim Jaaffar (left) in the junior putra C category semi-finals match in which Josh Chua won 35-32.

Expatiating on the performance of Sarawak’s Josh Chua against Melaka’s Muhammad Amirul Hakim Jaaffar in the junior putra C category semi-finals match, YB Datuk Sri Fadillah stated that he was astonished with the nerve-racking battle between both the silat exponents.

“Both respect one another and each have their own advantages. Josh Chua also appears to have high aptitude. He has good skills and is still a young man. Sarawak is on the right track to succeed in this championship as some of our junior fighters even managed to make it to the finals in their respective events this morning ” YB Datuk Sri Fadillah said.

YB Datuk Sri Fadillah also hoped that Sarawak’s athletes would achieve great success at the SPISC this time, thus improving the performance of martial arts in Sarawak so that they would be more competitive in whatever championship they participate in hereafter.

“Through the inception of this prestigious event, we will definitely be able to bring this sport of silat to the global level, thus attracting more international athletes to venture into this sport in the future,” explained the Deputy Prime Minister II.

YB Datuk Sri Fadillah also praised the efforts of the Sarawak state government through Rumpun Silat Sarawak (RSS) to host an international scale event such as SPISC in the Bumi Kenyalang state and the move will indirectly promote the state to the world stage as well as boost the development of martial arts.

According to him, organizing a big event like this not only helps to popularize the sport of silat but also becomes an important agenda to attract the interest of the young generation to venture into silat.

YB Datuk Sri Fadillah iterated that he was impressed and proud with Sarawak silat exponent’s high level of seriousness and sportsmanship throughout the SPISC championship.

“We at the leadership level will always support the efforts made by the state government to enable them to carry out various programs especially sports activities which are one of the important tools to unite the people.

“I am confident that the efforts of the state government and the RSS to organize this SPISC will be able to arouse the interest of the young generation to venture into this sport. I call and hope that more Sarawak youths get involved in this sport of martial arts which is a good activity to shape their identity,” said YB Datuk Sri Fadillah.

“This sport of martial arts should be used as a vehicle to discipline the youth in this state. It not only strengthens mentally and physically but also shapes one’s identity through high discipline.”

The Sarawak contingent got off to a great start when its exponent, Nor Azeman Pie’e, advanced to the putra B junior event final after defeating his Singaporean opponent Muhd Ridzqi Mohd Fadzil 28–14.

In the senior B category, Nur Hazeerah Syafiqah Suffian continued the excellence by defeating Singaporean martial artist Nur Izzah Johanis with ease, winning 43–27.

The senior women’s E category saw Raveena Jeno advancing to the final by defeating Qurratu Aini Muhammad Asri of Pahang with a score of 39–24, while the senior women’s G category, Sharifah Nurhalimatun Wan Mohamad defeated Police Diraja Malaysia (PDRM) exponent Olivia Chong with a score of 43–34.

The inaugural Sarawak Premier International Silat Championship 2023 kicked off on the 27th February and it will officially close its curtains tomorrow on the 5th of March. The admission for the finals is free for the public and it can also be watched live on the OneSilat facebook page.