Judoka Nur Amin finally steps out of his brother's shadow

Shah Alam: For years, Nur Amin Faizal watched his elder brother Noriman make a name for himself in judo, with the two even having to share the same weight class in the Malaysia Games (Sukma). Amin, now 20, finally had his moment of glory when he claimed gold in the men's 55-kilogramme final at the Ideal Convention Centre (IDCC) in Shah Alam, defeating Terengganu's Ammar Rafiki Ridzuwan.

This victory came after a long wait, as Amin first began competing in judo at the age of 13, following his brother's lead. Noriman, who had won the same Sukma category at the previous Games, watched proudly from the stands as his younger sibling took over the family legacy. Amin expressed his satisfaction with the win, stating that it was his first and last Sukma.

The victory was particularly sweet considering Amin had narrowly lost in a national competition shortly before Sukma, a loss that only fueled his determination to secure this gold medal. Prior to Sukma, Amin had participated in another national competition, where he had again come up short in the final. This loss was a motivating factor for Amin, as he aimed to prove his worthiness to win this prestigious title.

Amin's journey in judo was heavily influenced by his elder brother, who had initially come from a sepak takraw background before taking up the sport. Noriman's international success and participation in judo competitions convinced Amin to follow in his brother's footsteps. Amin said, "My brother is my idol. He always tells me never to give up."

The win not only marked a significant milestone in Amin's career but also capped a rewarding period for the judoka, who had represented Malaysia at last year's SEA Games in Thailand. Looking ahead, Amin remains focused on continuing his journey on the international stage.