Fadhil Yunus
Brunei Darussalam secured a bronze medal in the men’s tanding Class ‘A’ category event in the 20th Malaysia Games (Sukma) at the Dewan Tuanku Caunselor, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM) yesterday.
National exponent Md Izzamuddin bin Muhammad Taha lost 15-27 to Kedah’s Aizad bin Akbar after advancing to the last-four phase, subsequently missing out a place in the final round.
It marked the country’s first medal in pencak silat adding to the two silver in swimming and karate as well as bronze in karate.
However, the rising star was assured joint bronze in the 45-50 kilogrammes event together with Kelantan’s Muhammad Syahmi bin Mohd Azam.
Kedah’s Aizad bagged the gold medal after defeating Sarawak’s Muhd Amizul Azmi bin Muhammad Ridzuan- who settled for silver- 10-8 in the final.
Brunei had been guaranteed at least bronze after Md Izzamuddin edged Pulau Pinang’s Muhammad Arif Danial bin Amril Nurman 10-9 in the quarterfinal stage.
Earlier, Md Izzamuddin’s impressive run began after he ousted Pahang’s Muhammad Adam Syahmi bin Ismarizal 38-24 in the last-16 round.