Malaysian Fighter Walks Out of Pencak Silat Final After Claiming Bias
At the Asian Games in Jakarta, the final bout of the men’s 65-70 kg pencak silat event turned into a full‑blown drama.
What Went Down
- Abo Mohd Al‑Jufferi Jamari—Malaysia’s 2016 world champion—was jostling for gold when the crowd turned his focus to the judges.
- With a lead of almost a point, the fight slipped sideways as Indonesian daredevil Komang Harik Adi Putra fought back.
- Just two seconds before the call of the finish, Al‑Jufferi walked out while still in the stand‑off, claiming the jury was unfair.
- He then went straight to the warm‑up area, dove a fist into the wall, and left the venue in a flurry.
Why He Sparked a Controversy
“I’m not mad at my opponent or the fans, but I’m angry because the jury didn’t give points fairly,” 26‑year‑old Al‑Jufferi told reporters. The “fairness” he was after is hard to define in a sport that blends gloves, swords, and throws.
Nobody’s Going to Be Banned
Harry Warganegara, a Games chair from the Indonesian organising committee, told AFP:
“We think it was very unfortunate, but we try to understand what the athlete was going through. We don’t foresee any sanctions.”
Similarly, Nazif Najib, Malaysia’s Olympic Committee chief, said the same:
“We think it was an athlete’s emotional response, so no sanctions.”
What Pencak Silat Actually Is
“Pencak Silat” isn’t a single style but a family of Indigenous Southeast Asian martial arts, featuring everything from knives and sickles to the classic, flamboyant saber. Six Indonesian medalists—including gold for Komang—rounded out a haul of eight silat golds for the host nation.
A Quick Takeaway
Al‑Jufferi’s exit shows how high‑stakes competitions can push athletes to the brink—sometimes to both the point of protest and the point of physical outburst. The Games are a celebration of culture, skill, and a few moments of drama that remind us sports are as much about heart as they are about technique.
