It has been a difficult two years for Nidal Mahmoud (main image, right). The Muay Thai exponent, just like many other martial artists, was floored, due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
He was unable to train and compete, let alone train aspiring exponents.
Things, however, are about to change for Nidal. Better known as King Joker, the Ampang lad made the cut to don the national colours for the upcoming SEA Games in Vietnam.
But he knows there’s no clowning around in the fight of his life.
“InsyaAllah, I’ll come back with a SEA Games medal. I’m confident of doing so. It’s just that I can’t tell you which colour (gold, silver or bronze),” said Nidal, who turns 28, on Oct 11.
“I’ve gained weight to compete in the 81kg class. The Vietnamese athletes will be a threat. They are good in this weight category.”
Nidal was selected as there weren’t many exponents who turned up for the 81kg category during the national selections.
“Basically, I outclassed the rest. But this will be a good test as this is my first SEA Games.”
Nidal, however, is no stranger to the scene. He represented Malaysia at the 2017 Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. He then competed in the 71kg category but lost to a competitor from Iran in the preliminary round.
Last December, he self-funded his trip to Bangkok where he represented Malaysia in the Muay Thai World Championships Festival. There, he lost in the second round to Ondrej Malina of the Czech Republic in the men’s 81kg event. It was Nidal’s biggest international tournament.
“There’s not much difference competing in the 71kg and 81kg categories, to be honest. The exponents from other countries are generally bigger, regardless of the category. Here is where experience matters.”
Nidal will be joined by his brother Mohammed Mahmoud, or Jordan Boy, (main image, left) in Vietnam. Mohammed will be competing in kickboxing (low kick, 71kg category) at the regional Games.
Nidal said Mohammed’s event starts on May 6, just three days after Hari Raya Aidilfitri, while his event is scheduled for May 17.
“Jordan will be heading to Vietnam first, and he will miss Hari Raya,” said Nidal.
“Jordan won the silver at the 2019 SEA Games. So, he has some experience. It’s always great to have a family member by your side.”
Filipino exponent Jean Claude Saclag defeated Mohammed 3-0 in the finals of the men’s 63.5kg (kickboxing) low kick tournament at the last edition of the Games.
Nidal, who runs Jordan Top Gymnasium in Galaxy Ampang Mall, Selangor, admitted time was not on his side as the regional Games was just two months away.
“I’m glad that my students have levelled up. They can now give me a good fight. Two months will fly right by, so I have to make use of every opportunity I have to be in top form for Vietnam.”
Nidal and Mohammed hoped to secure sponsors ahead of their trip.
“If there are any interested parties who would like to be a part of our journey, we would welcome them. We hope their assistance will aid us in our quest to bring honour to Malaysia,” Nidal added.
