Kuala lumpur: The Malaysian Muay Thai Association (PMM) is targeting four gold medals at the 2027 SEA Games, which Malaysia will host. Its president, Datuk Muhammad Shahnaz Azmi, said 14 categories had been proposed for competition, including those that delivered gold medals for Malaysia at last year’s SEA Games in Thailand.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Shahnaz emphasized the importance of selecting categories strategically to maximize Malaysia’s chances of becoming overall champions. He noted that while it might not be feasible to win in all categories, focusing on the lighter categories could enhance their medal prospects. This approach is part of their strategy to overcome strong competitors like Thailand.

Shahnaz also mentioned that PMM plans to feature both promising youth athletes and national standouts, such as world champion Mohd Rifdean Masdor, Ahmad Nor Iman Aliff Rakib, and Ahmad Adam Rakib, at the biennial Games. This blend of emerging talent and experienced competitors is seen as crucial for achieving their medal goals.

For the record, Malaysia achieved three gold, three silver, and four bronze medals at the last edition, surpassing the initial target of one gold. This marked a notable improvement from the 2021 edition in Vietnam, where the team managed only one gold and one silver, and Muay Thai was not contested at the 2023 Cambodia SEA Games.