BANGKOK: Perak Muay Thai boxer Mohammad Rifdean Masdor has done Malaysia proud when he punched his way into the final of the East Asian Muay Thai Championships 2019 in Hong Kong, on Thursday. Mohammad Rifdean,17, knocked out Mongolian, Gantushig Tenuun in the second round in the semi-final of the 48 kilogrammes category. The 2019 World Muay Thai Championship silver medalist will be facing a Hong Kong exponent on Sunday.
Perak Muay Thai chief coach Bernard Radin said Mohammad Rifdean had displayed a powerpacked performance against his much bigger and taller opponent. “Initially, Mohammad Rifdean appeared nervous when confronting the tall Mongolian but in round two, he managed to control the fight resulting in knocking out his opponent,” he told Bernama when contacted yesterday.
Bernard said he is not putting any high targets in the championship in Hong Kong following the return of Mohammad Rifdean from the 2019 World Muay Thai Championship in Bangkok, Thailand.
Apart from that, he said Mohammad Rifdean is also busy with preparations for Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) this year. “I am targeting him to peak at
the World Youth Championship in Turkey next month. “I hope Mohammad Rifdean will continue his momentum and put up his best performance in the final on Sunday,” he said. Mohammad Rifdean was forced to move to the 48 kg category when the 45 kg category was not competed. – Bernama
