KLANG: Muay thai and other combat sports are gaining popularity among Malaysia’s youngsters, with Selangor’s Putra Abdullah Mahmoud providing a high-profile example of how the sport can become a pathway from the grassroots to the professional stage.
And he was popular too as the whole KSL Esplanade Mall could be heard screaming his name.
Putra, who competes professionally in several mixed martial arts competitions, capped his final Malaysia Games (Sukma) appearance with gold after beating Penang’s Mohd Hakimi Nordin 36-19 in the men’s below-60kg final on Sunday.
The 20-year-old, who won silver at the 2022 Sukma, dominated the bout 12-6, 14-5 and 10-8 to secure Selangor’s third muay thai gold of the day and in total, the contingent won five, the highest among all the states in the competition.
For Putra, the victory was about more than the result.
After cutting 12kg to make weight, he said his biggest challenge had been overcoming himself.
“People ask why I’m still competing at Sukma when I’m already fighting professionally, but I have my own targets to hit step-by-step,” said Putra.
“Before facing anyone else in the ring, my biggest opponent was myself — cutting 12kg to make weight was insanely exhausting.
“At the end of the day, securing the gold medal was the ultimate goal, and I’m grateful I delivered and I hope to get more gold, hopefully one in the SEA Games.”
Putra comes from a family steeped in combat sports.
His elder brother, Mohd Mahmoud, better known as Jordan Boy, is a ONE Championship fighter, while Putra has represented Malaysia at the IFMA Junior World Championships and competed at the Byon Combat Showbiz event in Indonesia last year.
Meanwhile, the women’s below-45kg final provided another glimpse of the sport’s emerging talent, with 15-year-old Sarawakian Emylia Lynn Ghazali Zulfikar stealing the show. Selangor’s
