CAPTAIN | 10
THE MONSOON
Making waves
Unknown but undaunted
Few people know that as early as the 3rd century, the Malays were skilled and sophisticated sailors and navigators. Ancient Chinese texts documented the Malay’s skills in constructing large ships and how they travelled and traded with countries as far away as the Middle East and Africa. This maritime activity was at a height during the Srivijaya period (7th to 12th century) in which mercantile, cultural and religious ties between the Malay peninsula and India, China and the Middle East grew. So important was the geography of the area, that in the 15th century, Malacca earned the moniker Venice of the east.
Ancient tradition notwithstanding, the Malaysian team comprises both the old and new. Individually they have competed in the Olympics, Youth Olympics, Asian Games, SEA Games and various World and National Championships. Their collective keelboat racing experience includes the World Match Racing Tour, China Cup, Boracay Cup, Boracay Bay to Subic Race, China Coast Regatta, Samui Regatta, Busan Super Cup, Royal Langkawi International Regatta and Raja Muda Selangor International Regatta.
Now they will be sailing together under one flag, but this time as underdogs in a huge pool of big and formidable names. The team however is ambitiously looking to make waves. With the support of their Patron, the Raja Muda (Crown Prince) of Selangor, they aim to make their presence known. With ancient history as their inspiration, the Malaysian team is looking to reclaim their place amongst the world’s best sailing nations.
Statistics
THE COUNTRY
- 4,675 km of coastline
- 5 sailing clubs
- 24 sailing schools
- Port Klang in Selangor and Langkawi in Kedah - Main sailing centers
ACHIEVEMENTS
- Asian Games: 1 Gold, 3 Silvers and 2 Bronze
- SEA Games: 7 Gold, 5 Silver and 7 Bronze
- ISAF Youth World Sailing Championship (International 420): 1 Silver
- Best ISAF World Ranking (Match Racing): 13th
SSL Ranking
- SSL best ranked woman: #
- SSL best ranked man: #
- SSL nations ranking: #
MAIN EVENTS
- Royal Langkawi International Regatta
- Raja Muda Selangor International Regatta
Info
- 31 August 1957 (formation of Federation of Malaysia)
1522
Many historians believe the first person to circumnavigate the world was Enrique of Malacca. He was a Malay slave aboard Portugal’s Ferdinand Magellan’s (Magellan-Elcano) circumnavigation expedition in 1519 -1522 who escaped and went home before the remaining ships returned to Spain.
The captain
Megat Danial Najmuddin
Resourceful team manager at the Malaysian big boat regatta level. What he lacks in international racing experience, he makes up for in his passion for the sport, his belief in his team, and his patriotism for his country. Born in the capital made for the seas, Megat will strive to get the team up to speed.
THE LEADERS
Khairulnizam Mohd Afendy
The first Malaysian to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics with two Olympics already under his belt in Laser Standard. A double silver medalist in the Asian Games and multiple gold medalist in the Sea Games. Nizam hails from the birthplace of Malaysia’s modern competitive sailing home of Klang in the state of Selangor.
Mohamad Faizal Norizan
Faizal won a gold medal in the Asian Games at the age of 18 and is a multiple gold medalist in the Sea Games. He has an unbeaten record in International 420 and 470 in Malaysia. Faizal and his International 420 teammate Ahmad Syukri Abdul Aziz won gold in the 16th Asian Sailing Championships in Korea in 2014 and came second in the ISAF Youth Sailing World Championships in Portugal later in the same year. Faizal also hails from Klang, Malaysia.
Ahmad Faizul Aswad Mohamed
An old hand of Malaysian keelboat racing, he is now a professional sailing instructor. Aswad competed in the World Match Racing Tour (WMRT) with Malaysia’s Koo Racing Team, racking up a total of 3 wins and 8 podiums places. They came second in the 2016 WMRT USA Grand Slam Series, earning them an invitation to compete in its separate foiling M32 series. A key crew member of Malaysia’s sole TP52 Ulumulu and Hong Kong’s Reichel/Pugh 77 Jelik, his keelboat experience lends crucial guidance to the team.
THE YOUTH FACTOR
Nur Shazrin Mohamad Latif
She is a rising star of women’s Olympic class sailing in Malaysia. The young Olympian in Laser Radial is a bronze medalist in the Asian Games and multiple gold medalist in the Sea Games. She hails from the state of Pahang.
Nuraisyah Jamil
The Malaysian Ladies International 470 Champion, Nuraisyah together with her teammate Juni Karimah Noor are the first International 470 pair from Malaysia to qualify for the Olympics. She is a silver medalist in the Asian Games and a gold medalist in the Sea Games. Nuraisyah hails from the deep south of the Malaysian peninsula in the state of Johor.
Confirmed Athletes
Potential Team Position
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1
BOW
Khong Shing Ong
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2
MID-BOW
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3
PIT
Mohd Azhar Sadon Zubir
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4
GRINDER
Ahmad Faizul Aswad Mohamed
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5
TRIMMER
Ahmad Hakhimi Ahmad Shukri
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6
TRIMMER
Mohd Amsyar Syahmi Mohd Ajwi
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7
MAIN TRIMMER
Nuraisyah Jamil
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8
HELM
Khairulnizam Mohd Afendy
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9
TACTICIAN
Mohamad Faizal Norizan
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10
CAPTAIN
Megat Danial Megat Najmuddin
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11
FLOATER
Asri Azman
|
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1
BOW
Khong Shing Ong
|
|
2
MID-BOW
|
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3
PIT
Mohd Azhar Sadon Zubir
|
|
4
GRINDER
Ahmad Faizul Aswad Mohamed
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5
TRIMMER
Ahmad Hakhimi Ahmad Shukri
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|
6
TRIMMER
Mohd Amsyar Syahmi Mohd Ajwi
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|
7
MAIN TRIMMER
Nuraisyah Jamil
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|
8
HELM
Khairulnizam Mohd Afendy
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|
9
TACTICIAN
Mohamad Faizal Norizan
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10
CAPTAIN
Megat Danial Megat Najmuddin
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|
11
FLOATER
Asri Azman
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SQUAD
| Megat Danial Megat Najmuddin | Khairulnizam Mohd Afendy |
| Nuraisyah Jamil | Mohamad Faizal Norizan |
| Nur Shazrin Mohamad Latif | Juni Karimah Noor Jamali |
| Mohd Saifullah Mohd Esa | Ahmad Faizul Aswad Mohamed |
| Ahmad HakhimI Ahmad Shukri | Mohd Akiyuddin Mat Zaki |
| Mohd Azhar Sadon Zubir | Mohd Aminzar Nasriq Abd Razak |
| Mohd Amsyar Syahmi Mohd Ajwi | Asri Azman |
| Khong Shing Ong | Ahmad Khairulhafiz Ahmad Khmbali |
| Muhamad Uzair Amin Mohd Yusof | Muhammad Farhan Hamid |
| Rizal Mahadi Sazili | Nicky Teh |