Jiu-jitsu team to prove their worth at the Games

PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian jiu-jitsu team said that all four of their exponents will repay the trust given to them by finishing on the podium at the Philippines SEA Games from Nov 30-Dec 11.

The team’s participation was previously rejected by the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) in August because they lacked a structured programme from grassroots to the national squad.

But OCM, the National Sports Institute (NSI) and the National Sports Council (NSC) made an about-turn and allowed them to compete in the biennial Games for the first time.

National jiu-jitsu team manager Sharizal Mohd Sidek said that Malaysia will be represented by Damon Soo Yan Wei (men’s 62kg), Adam Akasyah (men’s 69kg), Lee Ai Jin (women’s 45kg) and Cassandara Poyong (women’s 55kg).

“We are aiming for medals in each category. They are actively training under coach Bruninho Barbosa to achieve our target. Training is held at two gymnasiums in Taman Tun Dr Ismail and Bangsar, ” he said.

Sharizal said their exponents have experience competing and winning medals in international tournaments.

Adam was a gold medallist at the 2018 IBJJF London Open Jiu-jitsu Championships while Damon finished top at the ASJJF Dumau International Championship.

Cassandra won gold at the Abu Dhabi Jiu-jitsu World Championship and Ai Jin picked up a bronze at the Jiu-jitsu World Championships in the United States.

We are aiming for medals in each category. Sharizal Mohd Sidek