MANILA, Dec 6 — National boxer Khir Akyazlan Azmi is far from satisfied although he is already assured of at least a bronze in boxing at the 30th SEA Games here.
After qualifying for the semi-finals of the new category of under-81kg light heavyweight, he is determined to go one step further and win at least the silver.
The Kelantan-born boxer had featured in the under-64kg light welterweight in 2011 (Jakarta-Palembang), 2013 (Nay Pyi Taw), 2015 (Singapore) and 2017 (Kuala Lumpur) before switching to the under-81kg category.
In his four previous outings, he won a bronze in 2011 and 2013 but finished empty-handed in the next two editions.
“I feel I have luck in this new category. I would like to thank the association, my coach and manager for giving me the opportunity to prove that I can do better in this category,” he said.
“I want to try and change the colour of the medal because in Singapore I promised the association silver or gold but lost. This time I want to prove that I can bring back silver or gold in this new category,” he told reporters.
Khir Akyazlan, 28, made it to the last four after beating Myanmar’s Tun Ye Lin 5-0 in the quarter-finals at the Philippine International Convention Centre here yesterday.
He will meet Thailand’s Anavat Thongkrathok in the semi-finals on Sunday.
Earlier, two other national boxers, Jemis Wong Lee Onn in the under-52kg flyweight and Arfiqanie Ahmad Anshori in the under-60kg lightweight, were knocked out by their opponents. — Bernama
