Excited and ready: Mohd Abdul Qaiyum Ariffin (right) and Sheikh Rahmatullah Ibrahim are all set for their maiden Commonwealth Games outing. — Bernama
PETALING JAYA: Let’s think of getting to the quarter-finals first before planning for a medal assault.
Those were the words of boxing coach Azmi Mohd Yunus, who wants his charges – Mohd Abdul Qaiyum Ariffin (flyweight 51kg) and Sheikh Rahmatullah Ibrahim (bantamweight 54kg) – to take one step at a time in the Commonwealth Games.
The boxers, who left for Birmingham yesterday, will compete at the National Exhibition Centre in Solihull, from July 29 to Aug 7.
Qaiyum said he is aiming to go all the way for gold but Azmi does want the boxers to go overboard.
“If we get to the quarter-final, that’s good. That is the plan for now in the Commonwealth Games.
“These boxers are competing in the Games for the first time, so it’s best to take one bout at a time.
“The boys have trained in Thailand for three weeks. Fitness-wise, they are in peak condition right now, and the sparring sessions there have helped in their tactical development.”
At the Muaklek Boxing Academy in Saraburi, Thailand, Qaiyum and Rahmatullah trained and sparred with several boxers from Bhutan, Thailand, Mauritius and Cambodia.
Azmi added that in boxing, motivation is crucial, and he made sure to press on that aspect when he was with the boys in Thailand.
“I told them the stories of our exploits in the Commonwealth Games.
“I told them about the great Sapok Biki, who won the light flyweight gold in the 1998 Games.
“I also told them about opponents from Oceania, African and the Caribbean nations. Fighters from these continents have a different style of boxing.
“We do not know who we are facing in the preliminary round but the boys are prepared. We are ready.”
