KUCHING: Azizul Annuar Adenan created history for Sarawak when he was appointed as the president of the World’s Taekwondo Federation (WTF) Malaysia. This is the first time a Sarawakian was elected to head the federation. The 27-year-old Azizul bagged 34 votes to defeat two challengers from Kuala Lumpur and Selangor at an election held in the federal capital, yesterday.
“I didn’t expect to win in the three-cornered fight,” said the youngest son of former Sarawak Chief Minister, the late Pehin Sri Adenan Satem, when contacted by Utusan Sarawak last night. He said his first priority as the new president was to take positive steps to bring taekwondo back into the mainstream sports.
“Currently, taekwondo has been dropped from the list of main sports,” he said. “For Sarawak, it is my fervent hope that taekwondo will return as a main sporting event given the many talents we have in Sarawak,” said the youngest of five siblings. Azizul, who is a three dan black belt holder, started getting active in taekwondo since he was six years old. He had strong support and motivation to excel in the sport from his mother, Datuk Amar Jamilah Anu, who is the Tanjung Datu assemblyperson.
According to Jamilah, Azizul actually started to show interest in the sport since he was five years old.
“As a mother, I always gave him encouragement. His father, the late Tok Nan, was also very supportive of him to participate actively in the sport,” she added. “Tok Nan used to encourage and motivate him with these words, ‘Azizul, if you want to get involved in anything, always give your full commitment and dedication’,” Jamilah recalled. Azizul, who is also active in golf, was trained by his master Tan Check Joon since he was six years old.
