MUAY THAI STAR JOJO PROUD OF YOUNGER BROTHER MIKI'S REMARKABLE ACHIEVEMENT AT SEA GAMES

From Ahmad Nazrin Syahmi Mohamad Arif

BANGKOK, Dec 17 (Bernama) -- Malaysian Muay Thai star Muhammad Johan Ghazali Zulfikar has described his younger brother Muhammad Mikail Ghazali’s gold medal win in the 57-kilogramme (kg) category at the Thailand 2025 SEA Games as an extraordinary achievement, particularly considering the athlete’s young age.

Muhammad Johan, better known as Jojo, said 16-year-old Muhammad Mikail, also known as Miki, faced a major challenge competing against opponents much more experienced, aged between 20 and 30.

According to Jojo, Miki’s achievement deserved recognition, as not all athletes could reach that level at such a young age.

“I’m truly proud, because people need to understand Miki is only 16 and he competed against fighters nearly twice his age. Winning SEA Games gold at this age is very meaningful and not easy.

“It’s not easy to reach this level. Now Miki can be proud of himself. Elias (brother Muhammad Elias Ghazali) has no gold, Jojo has no gold, but Miki has the SEA Games gold,” he said at the Lumpinee Boxing Stadium here today.

Jojo is the second of four siblings, including younger sister Emylia Ghazali, who is also involved in Muay Thai.

The professional athlete came to Bangkok to support his brother in bringing glory to Malaysia.

In today’s bout, Miki, making his SEA Games debut, created a sensation by winning gold after defeating Thai athlete Suphakon Sirilun 29-28 in a three-round match, despite the loud cheers from the home crowd.

Miki could not contain his emotions, shedding tears throughout the interview with local media.

“Who wouldn’t cry after winning the SEA Games gold, especially at just 16 years old. Alhamdulillah,” he said, having prepared rigorously for two months before the competition.

In addition to Miki’s success, the national Muay Thai team also secured gold through Wassof Rujiman in the men’s 54kg category and Angie Yan Jia Chi, who won the women’s Wai Kru final by defeating Thailand’s world champion Thanawan Thongduang.

Malaysia also won three silver medals through Eva Anatasia Warren in the women’s 48kg category, Insyad Rumijam (men’s 51kg) and Nur Amisha Azrilrizal (women’s 51kg).

The haul of three golds and three silvers marked an improvement for the national team after only one gold and one silver in the 2021 edition in Vietnam, with Muay Thai not contested in the 2023 edition in Cambodia.

-- BERNAMA