SINGAPORE, June 15 — World champion Mohd Al Jufferi Jamari is not just a hero in silat but he also dabbles in karate, judo and taekwondo.
However, the Pahang-born said he focused more on silat after his father, Jamari Diron, died in 2000.
The 23-year-old won his third SEA Games gold since his debut at the 2011 Palembang Games.
He won gold after beating Vietnam’s Vu Van Hoang 5-0 in the Under-70kg final.
“Actually, I was a naughty kampung boy back then. I decided to join silat for fun when I was 13,” he said.
“I made the effort as my late father has Javanese warrior blood and I wanted to make him proud.
“When he died, I had to take care of the family.”
Jufferi, 23, said his mother, Marsinah Dalimin, is not in the best of health.
“My mother has high-blood pressure and diabetes,” he said.
“But it looks like I made the right decision with silat as I am able to support my family.”
Other than Jufferi, Faizul M. Nasir took gold for the team Under-55kg category.
Later in the evening, Robial Sobri failed to add another gold after losing 4-1 to Indonesia’s Tri Juanda Samsul Bahar for silver.
In the women’s category, Siti Rahmah Mohamed Nasir added another gold in the Under-65kg event.
Silat team wrapped up the Games with three gold, two silver and three bronze medals.
