SARAWAK EXPONENTS GUARANTEED THEIR FINAL SPOTS IN SPISC 2023

KUCHING (4 March): The Sarawak silat contingent's hopes of glory at the Sarawak Premier International Silat Championship 2023 (SPISC) look promising after an electrifying showing in their semi-final bouts.

The fourth day of the inaugural championship saw Sarawak's exponents continue their excellent form in the junior and senior categories, booking their places in the finals, which take place at Stadium Perpaduan, Petra Jaya tomorrow.

Sarawak's gallant run also caught the attention of Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Sri Fadillah Yusof, who commended the contingent's performance during a short visit to the championship venue this morning.

Datuk Sri Fadillah said he was impressed and proud of the Sarawak exponents' seriousness and sportsmanship throughout the championship.

Commenting on Sarawak's Josh Chua and his Putra C junior semi-final against Melaka's Muhammad Amirul Hakim Jaaffar, which Josh Chua won 35-32, Datuk Sri Fadillah said he was astonished by the nerve-racking battle between the two exponents.

"Both respect one another and each has 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," said Datuk Sri Fadillah.

He also hoped that Sarawak's athletes would achieve great success at the SPISC, improving the standard of martial arts in Sarawak and making them more competitive in future championships.

"Through the inception of this prestigious event, we will definitely be able to bring the sport of silat to the global level, attracting more international athletes to the sport in the future," he said.

Datuk Sri Fadillah also praised the efforts of the Sarawak state government, through Rumpun Silat Sarawak (RSS), in hosting an international-scale event such as SPISC in the Bumi Kenyalang, which he said would promote the state on the world stage and boost the development of martial arts.

According to him, organising a big event like this not only helps to popularise silat but is also important in attracting the interest of the younger generation.

"We at the leadership level will always support the efforts made by the state government to carry out various programmes, 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 RSS in organising SPISC will arouse the interest of the younger generation in this sport. I call on and hope that more Sarawak youths get involved in martial arts, which is a good activity to shape their identity.

"Martial arts should be used as a vehicle to discipline the youth in this state. It not only strengthens them mentally and physically but also shapes one's identity through high discipline," said Datuk Sri Fadillah.

The Sarawak contingent got off to a great start when Nor Azeman Pie'e advanced to the Putra B junior final after defeating Singapore's Muhd Ridzqi Mohd Fadzil 28-14.

In the Putri B junior category, Nur Hazeerah Syafiqah Suffian continued the excellent form, easily defeating Singapore's Nur Izzah Johanis 43-27.

In the Putri E senior category, Raveena Jeno advanced to the final by defeating Pahang's Qurratu Aini Muhammad Asri 39-24, while in the Putri G senior category, Sharifah Nurhalimatun Wan Mohamad defeated Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) exponent Olivia Chong 43-34.

The inaugural Sarawak Premier International Silat Championship 2023 kicked off on 27 February and closes tomorrow, 5 March. Admission to the finals is free, and they can also be watched live on the OneSilat Facebook page.