Danish's sacrifices pay off with Sukma judo gold

Shah Alam witnessed an extraordinary display of dedication and skill from judoka Danish Mirza Nasrin as he clinched the men's +90kg gold at the Selangor Malaysia Games (Sukma) on Sunday. The 18-year-old Pahang judoka made a bold decision to prioritize his training over social activities and video games, dedicating himself fully to his sport. The ultimate sacrifice for Danish was giving up time spent with friends and playing games to focus on honing his skills.

Danish's victory marked a significant turnaround for him, as he had previously finished empty-handed at the Sukma in Sarawak in 2024. However, this disappointment fueled his determination to secure a gold medal at the upcoming Games. Danish's journey to the top was further impressive considering his status as a blue belt, the third-highest grade in his progression, with brown belt preceding black belt.

His coach encouraged him to embrace the unpredictable nature of judo, saying, "Anything can happen on the tatami." Taking this advice to heart, Danish gave his all in the semi-finals, defeating Johor black belt Amir Luqman Azhar by ippon. Despite facing a higher-ranked opponent, Danish remained unfazed by Amir's black belt status, attributing his success to the unwavering support from his coaches and teammates.

Danis hopes that his impressive Sukma performance will catch the attention of national selectors, and he is open to becoming a member of the national team if given the opportunity.