By Nur Fatin Mohmad Kadenen
ISKANDAR PUTERI, Aug 17 (Bernama) -- Muay Thai exponent Damia Husna Azian is fully prepped in her quest to bag the gold for Johor in the 45-48 kilogramme (kg) weight class at the 2024 Malaysia Games (SUKMA) in Sarawak.
The reigning champion in the 42-45kg category from SUKMA 2022 is determined to keep her winning streak alive in this edition, following an intense preparation period that saw her clinch a silver medal in the 48kg category at the recent World Championships in Patras, Greece.
The 19-year-old lass credits her coach’s guidance and advice as her driving force to bring home the gold in what will be her second outing at SUKMA.
“I’m 100 per cent ready to step into the ring at SUKMA Sarawak, and now it’s all about keeping my physical and mental game at its peak.
“…I’m also focusing on safety as I don’t want any last-minute injuries derailing my performance,” she told Bernama recently.
Damia, who struck gold in the 42-45kg category at the 2022 International Federation of Muay Thai Associations (IFMA) World Senior Championships in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE), is equally optimistic about Johor’s Muay Thai team’s chances at SUKMA 2024, thanks to rigorous training sessions leading up to the Games.
Johor Muay Thai squad head coach Edee Noor Iskandar said a total of 12 exponents will represent the state in Sarawak, with a target of two gold, two silver and four bronze medals.
He remains confident in his team’s readiness, saying that the group of seven men and five women have focused on building stamina and maintaining peak health.
“Damia Husna is one of our key gold medal contenders. We’re aiming to retain the gold she won in the 2022 Kuala Lumpur edition, although she’ll be competing in a different category this time, 45-48 kg.
“We’re also pinning our hopes on several women’s categories for gold. Most of these athletes are new but we’re confident they’ll rise to the occasion in Sarawak,” he said, adding that his squad secured one gold and three bronze medals in the last edition.
-- BERNAMA
