As ready as ever: Mohd Abdul Qaiyum Ariffin will face Botswana’s Rajob Mohammed in the first round on Monday. — Bernama
THE boxers will be entering unknown territory when they begin their campaign in the Commonwealth Games.
In the draw released yesterday, coach Azmi Md Yunus said his boys would be facing opponents they had not heard of.
The lack of knowledge on their rivals is understandable as the Covid-19 pandemic has scuppered the plans of many amateurs. They were either unable to spar or got the opportunity to assess their rivals in international competitions.
And some have also pulled out at the last minute and were replaced which were not updated in the Games’ database.
Even the Malaysian team have undergone some change.
Mohd Imdad Ahmad Shaharom will now get to see action as he has replaced Sheikh Rahmatullah Ibrahim, who is unwell, in the men’s bantamweight 54kg.
Imdad, who received a first-round bye, will face either Scotland’s Matthew McHale or Barbados’ Jabali Breedy in the quarter-finals on Aug 3.
Both McHale and Breedy were quarter-finalists at the International Boxing Association (AIBA) men’s world championships in Belgrade last year.
In the men’s flyweight 51kg, Mohd Abdul Qaiyum Ariffin will face Botswana’s Rajob Mohammed in the first round on Monday.
Rajob took part in last year’s Tokyo Olympics but lost to Colombia’s Yuberjen Martinez in the first round.
Azmi admitted it was hard to gauge their opponents’ standard.
“Not knowing our opponents is set to make the competition unpredictable. We will have to make quick assessment and adaptation on fight day,” said Azmi.
“But my boys are ready. They have an equal chance as anyone else out there but they must put their heart and soul in every bout.”
