Johor’s other Arif Aiman packs a punch, and hits hattrick

Johor's boxer Muhammad Ariff Aiman Mohd Farid (left) in action against Negri Sembilan's Nurfaiz Syazwi Mohd Shaid (right) on Boxing Welter weight 67kg category Final during the SUKMA XXII Selangor 2026 at Tun Abdullah Mohd Salleh Hall in Bangi, Selangor.— MUHAMAD SHAHRIL ROSLI/The Star

BANGI: In Johor, the name Arif Aiman Hanapi is a household one thanks to the exploits of the Johor Darul Ta’zim footballer.

But now, there is another from the state making headlines of his own – boxer Arif Aiman Mohd Farid, who has etched his name in Sukma history with a hattrick of gold medals.

The 21-year-old from Pontian beat Negri Sembilan’s Nurfaiz Syazwi 5-0 in the below 67kg final at Uni­ver­siti Kebangsaan Malay­sia yesterday, sealing his third straight Sukma title and his last as he ages out of the competition.

“It is nice to end with a hattrick. From 2022, I have won gold in every edition, so it feels good to end on such a high note,” he said.

“The final was good and clean because I didn’t allow emotions to get the better of me. Once I was in control of myself, I knew my boxing would flow and the result would come, and it came well.

“Out of the three golds I have won, I enjoyed this one the most because it completed a hattrick. Plus, it gave me hope and impetus for the future as well.”

Arif credited his father for setting him on the path to the ring.

“I have been a boxer since I was 10 because of my dad. We both love the sport and I decided to be competitive in it.

“I also want to thank my coaches, Ariffin Karim and Awang Affendy, for guiding me to this stage. Not to forget my loved ones as well.

‘’Now I look to bring accolades for the nation. The plan is to do so at the SEA Games in Malaysia next year. I have done the state proud by winning golds, but now it is time to do that for Malaysia.”