Malaysia’s bid to get Iman for SEA Games hinges on ONE’s nod

PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Muay Thai Association are pulling out all the stops to assemble their strongest squad for the SEA Games in Thailand this December – and that includes rising star Iman Aliff Rakib (pic).

Iman, under a US$100,000 contract with ONE Championship, is restricted from competing in other events. However, the association will submit a formal request to ONE, hoping he can answer the national call.

“Iman won SEA Games gold before, and we’re drafting an official letter to ONE Championship,” said president Datuk Mohd Shahnaz Azmi. “As this is a multi-sport event in Thailand, we hope they’ll consider it.”

Iman recently secured his fourth straight ONE Championship win, defeating Morocco’s Elmehdi El Jamari at Bangkok’s iconic Lumpinee Stadium.

But timing could be an issue – Iman is slated to fight world champion Prajanchai P.K. Saenchai for the strawweight title in November or December, potentially clashing with the SEA Games.

“If the title bout is pushed to January, we can include him,” said Shahnaz.

“Iman has always shown patriotism. He even represented Terengganu at last year’s Malaysia Games (Sukma).”

Meanwhile, eyes are also on Rifdean Masdor, who fights Bernueng Sor Salacheep at ONE Lumpinee 118 this Friday. A win could earn him a contract, possibly restricting SEA Games participation like Iman.

Rifdean won SEA Games gold in the below-45kg category in 2019, but his class wasn’t contested in 2021. Iman stepped up then to win Malaysia’s only muay thai gold in the under-54kg division.

Muay thai was omitted from the 2023 Games in Phnom Penh, controversially replaced by Cambodia’s Kun Khmer. Beyond Iman and Rifdean, the association are also eyeing Mikail Ghazali, younger brother of Johan Ghazali, for the 12-member squad.