Jack of all sports, Rayqal strikes historic Sukma gold

Shah Alam: Prior to judo becoming his focus, Rayqal Hakimi Rosli experimented with a multitude of sports — handball, volleyball, sepak takraw, rugby, and even shot put. However, judo emerged as his favorite, leading to a historic moment on Saturday at the Selangor Malaysia Games (Sukma). At the age of 16, Rayqal claimed the first judo gold medal for Kelantan, having made his Sukma debut.

Rayqal defeated Terengganu's Firhab Iman Faizal in the boys under-73kg final, describing it as the most significant accomplishment of his young career. He had arrived at the Games with modest expectations, hoping to reach the final, much to his surprise as he had previously reached the final of a national tournament without claiming gold.

Rayqal's coach, also an Armed Forces coach, noted that this victory marked a significant milestone for judo development in Kelantan, particularly for junior athletes. Rayqal's journey into judo was unconventional, as his family moved frequently due to his father's military service, and he was born in Sabah before living in Lumut.

It was at the Royal Malaysian Navy base that he was introduced to judo through the Armed Forces judo association. This marked Rayqal's entry into the sport, making him the first generation of Kelantan judoka. With this Sukma gold, Rayqal aims to represent Malaysia at the SEA Games and Asian Games, with the 2027 SEA Games being his immediate goal.