AL JUFFERI PROGRESSES TO THE WORLD PENCAK SILAT CHAMPIONSHIP SEMI-FINALS

MALACCA (29 July 2022): Malaysia's very own three-time world champion Mohd. Al Jufferi Jamari lived up to the nation's expectations with a hard-fought win over the Philippines' Alvin T Campos to advance to the next round of the 19th World Pencak Silat Championship.

Competing in the Class F (70-75kg) category, Mohd. Al Jufferi received a strong challenge from the Hanoi SEA Games bronze medallist as the Filipino fighter kept hindering Mohd. Al Jufferi's qualification chances with vicious blows in the early part of the match.

The tables were quickly turned in a few minutes as the four-time SEA Games champion dominated Alvin in the last two rounds to win 59-41 in style.

Mohd. Al Jufferi was satisfied with his performance and condemned his opponent's menacing display. However, he remained modest and said, "First and foremost, I would like to praise the Almighty for giving me the strength to compete on such a competitive platform. With the grace of the Almighty, I'm still able to compete with full confidence despite my injury."

He added, "When I held him, he tried to dislocate my shoulder even though he clearly knows that I'm suffering from an injury. He also complained that I made a mistake by punching him while making a headlock, which is a legitimate move according to the new silat rules."

The match, which was held today, is the fourth encounter between the silat exponents, who have previously met in the Class E (65-70kg) category. Al Jufferi added that Alvin has not changed his strategy over the years.

"His way is too aggressive. I have known him for a long time and I can't bear his arrogance. That's perhaps why I lost my cool and kicked him in the stomach," he said.

Mohd. Al Jufferi faced the consequences for his antics as he was deducted five points while leading 51-22 against Alvin in the third round.

"As an athlete, we have the right to defend ourselves when our opponent goes too far. But I also made sure that my actions didn't affect my gameplay as I tried my level best to remain as calm as possible. My coach also reminded me to control my emotions for the pride of the nation," he added.

The opponent that awaits Al Jufferi in tomorrow's fixture is none other than renowned stalwart exponent Zetout Abdelmalek. The Algerian fighter did not face much of a problem in advancing to the semi-finals when he defeated Muhammad Ammar from Pakistan 55-11.

Elsewhere, Siti Rahmah Mohamed Nasir, the Hanoi SEA Games gold medallist, advanced to the semi-finals of the "Tanding Puteri" event following the withdrawal of her opponent, Sudha Chauhan from India, in the second-round match.

The Class F (70-75kg) match saw Siti Rahmah lead 29-0 in the first round and continue to dominate the next round to lead 40-1 prior to her opponent's withdrawal.

Singapore's Nur Shaqira Sheik Alaudin will be the next opponent to test Siti Rahmah's combat capabilities in her decisive Class F (70-75kg) match tomorrow.

The gallant run of the national contingent was followed by Mohd. Fauzi Khalid, who beat Alvin Lewis Jr. from the United States by 47 points to -3 in the Class G (75-80kg) category.

The 2017 SEA Games gold medallist will face Thailand's Suthat Bunchit, who defeated Joash M. Cantoria from the Philippines 62-14.

Meanwhile, a controversy occurred involving Malaysia's Zulfazly Zulfakar, who lost 19-23 to Abdul Raazaq Abdul Rashid from Singapore in the Class E (65-70kg) category.

The national team officials protested against the jury's decision in favour of the Singaporean fighter on the grounds that Zulfazly was not given points after successfully kicking and knocking down his opponent at the end of the last round.

Forty nations, including debutants the United States, Algeria and Germany, will be vying for honours at the 19th World Pencak Silat Championship, which is scheduled to reach its climax this coming Sunday.