Bahrain 2025: 19 Oct Highlights

By HPSI (Muhammad Huzaifi Mohd Kamil and Low Zheng Yu)

Pencak Silat is a traditional martial art that blends self-defense, artistic expression, and cultural ritual. Widely practiced across Southeast Asia—in countries like Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, and Thailand—it has deep cultural roots and growing international recognition. At the 2025 Asian Youth Games in Bahrain, Pencak Silat made its official debut as a medal event, marking a major milestone for the sport on the continental stage.

In Pencak Silat, athletes earn points for clean, controlled strikes, kicks, and takedowns executed with precision and balance. Judges score each bout based on the accuracy and technique of these movements, while penalties are imposed for fouls or stepping out of bounds.

In the Round of 16 for Pencak Silat, Girls’ 51kg–55kg category, Team Singapore’s Nur Hanifah Qisya Mohammad Hanis faced Feruza Bozorova from Uzbekistan. From the moment the match began, both athletes sprang into action, each seeking to gain the upper hand.

Feruza gained the early advantage in the initial exchanges, but Hanifah was determined to fight back. She remained composed, adjusted her strategy, and tried to chip away at Feruza’s lead. However, in a twist of fate, Hanifah twisted her ankle during one of the intense exchanges.

Despite the visible discomfort from the sprain, Hanifah showed no signs of distress—her calm demeanor remained unwavering. She continued to push through the discomfort, scoring points and fighting with heart. Nevertheless, Feruza maintained her lead and proved too strong on the day. Hanifah eventually fell to Feruza with a final score of 18–55, missing out on a spot in the quarter-finals.

With the support of the team doctor and physiotherapist from the High Performance Sport Institute (HPSI), Hanifah is now focused on recovery and is steadily nursing her sprain. Her resilience and spirit remain an inspiration as she begins her journey back to full strength.

TeamSG Pencak Silat athlete, Nur Hanifah Qisya Mohammad Hanis. Photo: Team Singapore/Low Zheng Yu