AUG 2024: GOLD MEDAL BIRTHDAY GIFT FOR AFIQ DANISH

From Nurul Izzati Mansor

SURABAYA, June 27 (Bernama) -- National judo exponent Afiq Danish Zapri received a fitting birthday gift as he clinched a gold medal in the under 90-kilogrammes category at the 2024 ASEAN University Games (AUG) today.

  The athlete from Bachok, Kelantan, who celebrated his 21st birthday yesterday, demonstrated his strength by defeating host exponent Myza Tyas Nugraha in a fierce final bout at the Airlangga Convention Centre here.

Reflecting on the bout, the Universiti Malaysia Terengganu student said that he identified his opponent's weaknesses to secure a decisive point.

"I anticipated a quick victory, but the tough competition made me look for my opponent's mistakes after scoring a point. I held on until the end of the match.

"This is the most meaningful birthday gift in my life," he told reporters.

Earlier, Afiq Danish had defeated home athlete Muhd Altila Alfaridzi with an ippon victory after leading 1-0 early in the round robin bout.

The stellar judo streak continued with Amir Daniel Abdul Majeed claiming gold in the under 81 kg category.

The medal came after the SEA Games and Birmingham Commonwealth Games bronze medallist scored an ippon to defeat host athlete Yuta Gladius Taslim in less than a minute.

Ippon is the highest score in judo. It is a full throw in which a contestant throws his opponent to the mat with considerable force and speed.

Amir Daniel confirmed his path to the final after disappointing Singapore challenger Pang Jia Cheng in the semifinals held earlier this morning.

Meanwhile, Tan Yi Ting settled for silver in the under 73 kg category after losing in two round robin bouts to Indonesian challenger Chandra Kurnia Rettob and Singapore's Melvin Loo.

-- BERNAMA