World champion Mohamad Rifdean among participants of inter-city Muaythai tournament

IPOH - Three-time world muaythai champion, Mohamad Rifdean Masdor is among the participants who will compete in the Inter-City Muaythai Championship between Ipoh and Betong (Thailand) on Aug 26 at Headhunter Muaythai Gym Jalan Watson here.

Perak Muaythai Association (PMP) patron Datuk Zainol Fadzi Paharudin said women's world champion Nur Amisha Azrilrizal is also among the participants in addition to Muhammad Fadzmi Aiman ​​Mohd Fadzli, Muhammad Amirul Adli Sale' Meha and Raja Izzati Nabihah Raja Anuar.

"This tournament will feature 10 participants from both countries and the competition will involve several male and female categories.

"At the Aug 26 meet, we will present our great contestants who will compete with Thailand's (Betong's) selection," he said at a press conference about the championships here, yesterday.

Also present was national muaythai coach and PMP president, Bernard Radin.

Mohd Rifdean previously defended the world title he won in 2022 at the World Muaythai Championship in Bangkok last May.

Zainol said the tournament which will start at 8.30pm will witness bouts between national and Thai boxers to showcase their respective talents and that he is planning to organise a bigger tournament to attract more fans of the combat sport.

"PMP has drawn up a programme as a result of collaboration with Ipoh City Council (MBI) as a strategic partner and PMP plans to host the tournament at the Indera Mulia Stadium.

"The tournament that will be organised also opens up more space and opportunities for local champions to showcase their talents thus polishing the quality of this sport to the best level that the country needs in the future," he said.

Meanwhile, Bernard said his main mission is to produce world-class muaythai exponents from this state while also proving that exponents from Perak are the best.

"I want to see Perak exponents continue to win like Mohd. Rifdean Masdor who won the world title which he won for the third time in a row in addition to the national team successfully bringing home five gold, two silver and one bronze from the 2023 World Muaythai Championship in May.

In the meantime, a total of 400 tickets priced at RM25 have been made available which will be sold on Aug 21 for the Ipoh and Betong Inter-City Muaythai Championship and places are limited. - BERNAMA