KUCHING: Sarawak’s rising Muaythai star Jonnah Barrac has been chosen to represent Malaysia once again for the 2026 World Youth Muaythai Championship and World Schools Championship in Greece this October.
The 13-year-old from Bintulu is no stranger to the international stage, having already made his mark after clinching a silver medal at the 2025 IFMA World Muaythai Championships, where he fought his way into the final before narrowly missing out on gold.
Now more experienced, Jonnah is determined to take the next step.
“It’s an honour to represent the country again. This time, I am aiming to improve and go for gold,” he told Sarawak Tribune recently.
He also expressed gratitude to the Sarawak Muaythai Association, PS Muaythai coaches, namely, Farid Dahalan and Sapphire Gym founder Shahrol Taha, for their support since the start of his journey.
With three centralised training camps scheduled from August to October under Malaysia Muaythai Federation programme, Jonnah sees the period as crucial in sharpening his preparation ahead of Greece.
“I believe these camps will be a crucial part of my preparation. I want to improve my technique and learn how to score more points during fights,” he said.
The programme, conducted in collaboration with the National Sports Council of Malaysia (NSC), will bring together selected athletes nationwide as part of preparations for multiple international assignments.
Jonnah’s development has also been shaped by detailed post-tournament analysis following his world silver campaign, where key adjustments were made to his fighting style.
“My coach and my father, David Lambek, reviewed my fighting style. We found that I need a more aggressive approach with rapid punching and kicking combinations, as this makes it easier to score points,” he explained.
Despite his growing experience on the international stage, the youngster remains focused on execution and adaptability.
“I expect strong opponents. Every fighter will give their best in the ring, and so will I. I will focus on executing my game plan and adapting when needed,” he added.
Meanwhile, David believes the centralised camps will serve as a platform to unify Malaysia’s young prospects ahead of a packed competitive calendar.
“The camps are meant to gather all selected fighters and prepare them for three major events this year, the IFMA Senior World Championship, IFMA World Schools Championship and IFMA World Youth Championship,” said David, who also serves as Jonnah’s coach.
Athletes will be assessed across physical readiness, technical ability and endurance, with Malaysia targeting strong finishes on the world stage.
“Our target this year is to reach the finals in both world championships,” he added.
Behind Jonnah’s rise is a structured support system at home, where his father plays multiple roles in guiding his development.
“As his trainer, manager and father, I help organise his daily routine. We have to balance his school, tuition and Muaythai training,” David said, noting improvements in discipline, focus and confidence following national-level exposure.
With world silver already under his belt and a sharper fighting blueprint in place, Jonnah now heads to Greece not just as a representative, but as a young fighter determined to convert promise into gold for Malaysia.
