Amir’s decisive waza-ari earns Malaysia’s first judo gold in Commonwealth Games

Golden move: Amir Daniel Abdul Majeed poses with his gold medal and mascot toy after the prize ceremony. – Bernama

PETALING JAYA: Judokas Amir Daniel Abdul Majeed and South African Timothy Meuwsen are close friends who share a passion for the sport.

But on Saturday, friendship was put aside as both battled for the chance to deliver their country’s first gold medal at the Commonwealth Games.

Amir emerged victorious after a gripping four-minute final, defeating Meuwsen to become Malaysia’s first-ever Commonwealth Games judo gold medallist.

After taking bronze in the 73kg category in Birmingham four years ago, Amir went one better by capturing the men’s 81kg title with a stunning waza-ari in the closing moments of the contest.

A waza-ari is the second-highest score in judo after an ippon, awarded for a near-perfect throw or hold that gives a decisive advantage.

It was a brilliant winning move, and Meuwsen showed true sportsmanship afterwards by lifting the Malaysian in celebration.

The 21-year-old Amir, who is from Penang and understands Hokkien, explained that he knew Meuwsen in the preparation for his Commonwealth Games debut.

“We teamed up before the last Commonwealth Games because both of us had no training partners.

“We are friends and he is a great opponent, strong and fearless,” said Amir, who reached the final earlier by beating Australian Keishin Ochi in the semi-finals.

On the moment of magic that secured him the gold, Amir said he started developing the waza-ari move during a training camp in Mongolia.

“I tried it once during a Grand Slam tournament and ever since I continued refining it and making it more useful in competition.

“The sacrifices paid off finally. It’s so surreal. Honestly, after every competition I’ve won, I usually cry but not this one - I don’t think it has sunk in yet.’’

It’s not the first time Amir has made history for Malaysian judo. In December last year, he won the nation’s first SEA Games judo gold medal in 44 years after triumphing in the men’s 81kg category.

The Environmental Biology student at Universiti Sains Malaysia is not stopping at Commonwealth Games success as he has his sights set on making it to the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028.

But first, Amir wants to spend quality time with his mother Yeoh Suat Khim who was also present in Glasgow to give him moral support.

“I seldom had time to chat with her because I was either spending time training or studying.

“This medal comes from all the sacrifices I’ve made and it’s also for Malaysians.”