SEA Games: Debutant brother pair win Singapore’s first silat medal with bronze

KUALA LUMPUR — They had high expectations as they headed into their first competition in Kuala Lumpur, even though it was their SEA Games debut.

But nerves got the better of pencak silat exponents Najaid Hasif Zainal Abidin, 17, and elder brother Haziq, 19, on Thursday afternoon (Aug 24) as they ended up with a bronze in the artistic men’s ganda doubles.

The siblings scored 544 to finish third out of seven teams to win Singapore’s first medal in the sport here, as Malaysian pair Taqiyuddin Hamid and Rosli Sharif blew away the competition with a score of 582 to win gold. Indonesia’s Yolla Primadona and Hendy won silver with 554.

Haziq told TODAY after the event that while their preparations had been “really good”, they were taken back by the actual competition environment at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.

“The atmosphere caught up with us and when we entered (the arena) I was like ‘this is it, this is the real deal’,” he said. “I feel like we should have performed better and we are very disappointed because we were really confident of at least getting a silver. There were a few mishaps during the actual performance.”

The close proximity of the spectator stands to the arena and the vociferous chants of support from the various contingents was something the pair had not experienced before, despite having been to the world championships last year.

“When we entered, that’s when I felt really nervous,” Hasif added. “We competed in the world championships last year (for the first time as a pairing) but the SEA Games setting is way different from that, with the spotlight shining and everyone watching, it’s a more pressurising environment.”

They aim to work closer with their psychologists to improve their mental strength for future competitions, with the next major competition being the 2018 Asian Games in Indonesia next August.

Both took up the sport in 2006 and are currently students – Hasif is enrolled in the International Baccalaureate programme at the Singapore Sports School, while Haziq has taken a three-semester deferment to prepare for this SEA Games and the Asian Games. The aerospace and engineering student will resume his final year at Temasek Polytechnic after the Asian Games.

While their showing did not live up to their expectations, the brothers find joy competing together.

“I feel very grateful and thankful (to team up with my brother),” Haziq said. “I feel we have the chemistry.

“We both have a common goal and way of thinking, a shared interest in our movements and choreography, and we both know what we want (to achieve).”

They will next compete in the artistic team category on Tuesday (Aug 29).