JUDOKA Amir Daniel Abdul Majeed was overcome with emotion after ending Malaysia’s 44-year gold medal drought in judo at the SEA Games, clinching victory in the men’s under-81kg final today.
The four-minute bout could have gone either way, but the 21-year-old Penangite sealed the win with an ippon via submission, edging past the Philippines’ John Viron Ferrer at the Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi. Daniel had won back-to-back bronze medals in the lighter under-73kg class at the 2021 Hanoi and 2023 Phnom Penh editions.
Moments after his triumph, Daniel looked skywards, dedicating the historic gold to his late father, a 61-year-old retired lawyer who passed away from a heart attack on Nov 27, while Daniel was undergoing a month-long training stint in Mongolia.
“When my mum broke the news, I was shocked. I cried, and I was shaking. I had just ordered some Thai desserts for them. I flew back the next day (Nov 28) and managed to see his body before he was buried after the Isha prayers,” Daniel said in a phone interview.
A third-year environmental biology student at Universiti Sains Malaysia, Daniel admitted it took time to regain his composure before travelling to Bangkok for the Games.
En route to the final, he defeated Indonesia’s Diki Hartato in the semi-finals, setting up a rematch against Ferrer, whom he had beaten previously at the SEA Championships last year.
“It was my first time facing Hartato. Ferrer is a strong opponent, and I respect him. Having beaten him before gave me confidence, but I was prepared for surprises. I knew what I wanted in the final,” he said.
Daniel, who first gained national attention after winning bronze in the under-73kg category at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, credited his success to the gruelling training programme in Mongolia.
“I improved my strength and technique under Sensei Battulga Dashgombo. Imagine training every day in sub-zero temperatures,” he said.
According to Daniel, his Mongolian sensei had previously coached students in Bandar Penawar, Johor, about 20 years ago.
Daniel also expressed gratitude to those who supported his journey, including Malaysian Judo Federation president Datuk Andrew Lim Tatt Keong, Penang Youth, Sports and Health EXCO Daniel Gooi Zi Sen, National Sports Council director-general Jefri Ngadirin, Penang State Sports Council director Harry Chai Heng Hua, Jeff from YY Tours and Travel, nutritionist Ms Loo, Chikara from JICA, and Vitahealth.
After a short year-end break, Daniel will resume training with ambitious goals ahead.
“I’m looking forward to the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and making my Asian Games debut in Aichi next year. I want to be in top condition,” he said.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Law Suun Ting and courtesy of Amir Daniel Abdul Majeed