KUCHING: Eight budding muay thai fighters have successfully completed an intensive four-month programme designed to develope their martial arts skills, life skills and instil discipline among others on last Saturday.
In October last year, Discover MuayThai (DMT) selected these eight Sarawakian youths to take part in the comprehensive training course. The initiative aims not only to improve martial arts techniques but also to provide holistic personal development.
As a home-grown social enterprise, DMT proudly extended its flagship DMT Academy programme to Kuching, following nine years of success in empowering underprivileged youth through transformative initiatives in the Klang Valley and Sabah. This marked the tenth cohort for the academy, who has partnered with Rentap Muay Thai Gym to launch the inaugural programme in Sarawak.
Throughout the course, the eight fighters received martial arts training alongside English lessons, taught by Jennana Johnson, and sports science instruction provided by Jaya Chiropractic.
The young fighters include Ayu Arash’aqasha Azmi, Mohamad Aiman Abdullah, Mohammad Danish Abdullah, Mohammad Haikal Muhamad Raffi, Mohd Irfan Zulhazri, Mohamad Hasbullah Mood, Alias Sabang Lang, and Travistar Novel.
Jennana Johnson, co-owner of Rentap Muay Thai Gym, expressed her pride in the fighters’ progress over the four months.
“I was not only an English teacher for the programme but I was also a part-time disciplinary teacher. These boys made me laugh every day; we shared a lot of jokes, but they also faced disciplinary action from me.
“These boys were tough. They were not the type to give up that easily. If they were, they wouldn’t have lasted the whole four months,” she said.
Jennana praised their resilience, strong character, and determination.
“They could endure anything we threw at them, and yet they all showed big hearts. Not only was it the most important thing in the muay thai training, but also in life.”
“With proper guidance and support from their families and communities, you will all without a doubt go far and succeed, Inshallah,” she remarked.
