M’sian fighter King Joker targeting medal win in SEA Games debut

KUALA LUMPUR − Nidal Mahmoud has been literally assigned a heavy task in the Hanoi SEA Games in May but he is not kicking up a fuss.

The 28-year-old muay thai exponent is targeting to win a medal in a strong field despite making his debut in the biennial games.

“I was listed for the 81kg event after no other boxers wanted to compete in that category during national selection.

“I’m not going there for a ‘holiday’ as I am looking forward to representing the country. It is a big challenge as I will be up against formidable boxers, including from Thailand and host Vietnam,” he told Bernama when contacted today.

It is understood that Nidal − nicknamed “King Joker” – will be joining nine kickboxing and six muay thai athletes at an intensive training camp in Bangkok, Thailand on April 2 after the country’s borders reopen. 

At the Hanoi Games, Nidal will be joined by his younger brother Mohammed Mahmoud, who won silver in the 63.5kg kickboxing event at the 2019 SEA Games in Manila, the Philippines.

However, Mohammed will be competing in the 71kg category in the coming games.

Nidal has previously represented the country at the Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan but lost in the first round of the 71kg category. – Bernama, March 22, 2022