Team Captain-Bernard Radin

Wednesday April 1, 2009

Uphill task ahead for Bernard

By NG WEI LOON

SEASONED Muay Thai (kick boxing) exponent Bernard “Headhunter” Radin sprang a surprise by checking in early as one of the two Malaysia representatives in the second season of The Contender Asia.

The Malaysian Tigers captain, who bagged the “Malaysia’s Ultimate Warrior” title two years ago, secured his berth at the King’s Cup meet at Bangkok, Thailand, in December.

Crowd favourite: Shahrizal winning the Malaysia Super Four Fights as part of the International Muay Thai Superfights at Stadium Malawati in Shah Alam last July.

The 37-year-old Sarawakian was in uncompromising form and ended his German opponent’s campaign with a convincing technical knockout victory. Bernard delivered his trademark power-packed kick and injured his opponent’s ribs just a few seconds into the three-minute first round.

World Muay Thai Council (WMC) Malaysia representative Muhd Shahnaz Azmi said Bernard had performed beyond expectations and they were delighted that an ideal Malaysian ambassador with outstanding personality had made the cut.

“Bernard has shown his courage and has not allowed his age to prevent him from advancing in The Contender Asia. There is no doubt that he is very determined to go as far as possible. Deep inside him, he is aiming to progress to the semi-finals. However, he will have an uphill task ahead to stamp his mark against younger competitors with better physique. Since November, he has been training diligently with the Malaysian Tigers squad at the Lamai Gym in Koh Samui, Thailand, to prepare for the challenge,” Shahnaz added.

The Malaysian Tigers, comprising 13 exponents aged between 17 and 37 years, opted to be based in Thailand to gain exposure with quality sparring sessions and regular competitions, with at least a bout in a month.

Take that!: Shahrizal (right) taking on Bernard Radin at the Malaysia Super Four Fights at Stadium Malawati in Shah Alam last July.

Two hopefuls – Mohd Muinuddin Khadir and Faizal Ramli – from the camp returned home with the team recently to vie for the final slot to feature in the second season of the entertaining reality show at the Malaysia Super Eight Fights scheduled to be held at the Sultan Mohammed IV Stadium in Kota Baru, Kelantan, on April 24.

Another six competitors attempting to qualify are Tengku Shahrizal of the Royal Malaysian Police Force (PDRM); Hashim Ramli of Kelab Kayu Kelat Terengganu; Khoo Meng Yang (“Red Dragon”) from TNT Kickboxing Malaysia; the Boxx-warriors Gym duo of Abdul Alif Mohd Zulkifli and Wes Jaya; and Muhammad Azwan Zamri, representing M150 Kota Baru.

Based on current form, Shahrizal will be starting off as the favourite, and he indicated he is a frontrunner when he knocked out younger opponent Hashim in the final of the Malaysia Super Four Fights as part of the International Muay Thai Superfights at Stadium Malawati in Shah Alam last July.

Underdog Khoo with vast experience and renowned for his everlasting endurance in the ring will be out to spoil the party.

Shahnaz also hinted that Faizal, who is known as the “Golden Elbow”, would be another fighter to watch out for.

Connected: Khoo (right) in action against Hashim Ramli at the Malaysia Super Four Fights at Stadium Malawati in Shah Alam last July.

“The eight challengers will be divided into two teams — Malaysian Tigers and Boxxwarriors Gym — and they will be drawn into the quarter-finals elimination rounds.

“We are expecting an open and closely contested affair, and the best Malaysian will join Bernard in action in the highly anticipated show,” he added.

For details, visit www.muaythaitigers.blogspot.com.