PUTRAJAYA — “I will try to bring home a medal from the World Championship and show it at my late mother’s grave.”
These are the heartfelt words of 15-year-old national pencak silat athlete Harriz Naufal Md Fadly, who remains resolute in his mission to bring pride to the nation despite recently losing his mother, Sabarilah Long, to a lung infection.
Harriz shared that just days before her passing on Monday, his mother had offered him words of encouragement, urging him to bring home a medal from the *2024 World Pencak Silat Championship in Abu Dhabi next week.
“When I found out my mother had passed away, I was deeply shaken. But she wanted me to succeed in Abu Dhabi. She told me I must bring back a medal, not lose heart, and prove myself to the coaches,” Harriz said tearfully at the flag-handing ceremony for the national silat contingent at the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development today.
“The last time I saw her was last Thursday when she was still well. Although I can’t promise gold, Insya-Allah, I will give my all to become a world champion,” he added.
Hailing from Segamat, Johor, Harriz will compete in the Youth Male H category (67-71kg).
He is determined to channel his grief into strength, honouring his mother’s final wishes through his performance at the championship.
Malaysia is sending a contingent of 46 athletes to Abu Dhabi, including 31 senior and 15 youth competitors.
In the previous edition in Melaka, the national team claimed a total of seven gold, eight silver, and eight bronze medals. — December 13, 2024