ABU DHABI: One clean high kick, a stinging teap to the ribs, and Mikail “Miki” Ghazali was already on his way to the the IFMA Youth World Championships quarter-finals after brushing aside Saudi Arabia’s Batal Alrashidi on Monday in the junior boys’ 16–17 years, −60kg category.
The 17-year-old fighter from Rentap Muay Thai Gym had his opponent on the back foot early, firing a barrage of low and mid kicks that opened the contest in his favour.
He then switched levels, whipping up a high kick that rattled Alrashidi and stamped his authority on the fight.
In the second round, Miki pressed harder, his teap landing flush and sending the Saudi crashing to the canvas.
From there, he dictated the tempo, piling on the pressure until the final bell.
The judges had it unanimous, awarding Miki all three rounds.
Speaking in a post-match interview conducted by his brother, Johan ‘Jojo’ Ghazali on behalf of IFMA, Miki called the bout a warm-up.
“I feel good, a nice warm-up.
“I’m proud and happy to represent Malaysia,” he said, already shifting his focus to today’s quarter-final clash against Tunisia.
