Singapore’s Dhani Andika Razali Claims Gold in SEA Games Silat

SINGAPORE secured its final medal on December 17, 2023, as Dhani Andika Razali clinched gold in the men’s tanding (under-45 kg category) at the Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) in Bangkok. Razali triumphed over Indonesia’s Mustakim Khoirudin with a decisive score of 41-21. Despite this victory, Singapore’s overall performance fell short of the two-gold tally achieved in the previous SEA Games held in Cambodia.

In a contrasting outcome, Singapore’s Sheik Ferdous Sheik Alauddin, a silver medallist from the 2018 Asian Games, faced defeat in the final of the 85 to 90 kg category. Ferdous was bested by Vietnam’s Nguyen Tuyen Duy, finishing the match with a score of 26-5. This loss marks another missed opportunity for Ferdous to claim his first SEA Games gold, following his earlier successes.

Singapore’s Medal Count and Team Performance

Throughout the competition, both Razali and Ferdous showcased their skills, having previously outperformed opponents from the Philippines and Indonesia in the semi-finals on December 16, 2023. Singapore’s silat team concluded the SEA Games with a total of four medals: one gold, one silver in the men’s artistic regu event, and two bronze medals earned by Nurin Insyirah in the women’s seni tunggal event and Abdul Raaziq in the men’s tanding (75 to 80 kg category). In contrast, the team had brought home a total of ten medals during the last SEA Games.

The event was not without controversy. During the quarter-finals of the 50 to 55 kg category, tensions escalated when members of the Malaysian silat team confronted referees and organizers following a disputed result. Malaysia’s Nor Farah Mazlan faced Thailand’s Jongtima Ruenthong, and the match concluded in a tie-breaking decision that favored the Thai athlete. Following the announcement, protests from the Malaysian contingent, including head coach Siti Rahmah Mohamed Nasir, led to a physical scuffle that required intervention from security and police.

Despite the unrest, the result was ultimately upheld, marking a tense moment in an otherwise competitive atmosphere. With the SEA Games concluding, anticipation builds for the next edition in Thailand in 2025, where athletes from across the region will once again compete for glory.

Fans can catch the upcoming 33rd SEA Games Thailand 2025 live on mewatch. Registration is free at www.mewatch.sg/thailand2025 for all the action, and updates are available via Mediacorp Sports on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook.