Three brothers gear up to fence for FT at Sukma

Shah Alam - The story of three brothers representing Federal Territories in fencing at the Selangor Malaysia Games (Sukma) began as a father exploring unconventional co-curricular activities for his eldest son, Badroel Rizwan Bahar. Badroel, who previously represented Kuala Lumpur in rugby, decided to introduce his son to fencing when other sports seemed too common.

Uzair Zafran, 20, began training for fencing around seven or eight years old and quickly showed promise, receiving coaching from a former national fencer. Umar, three years younger, initially watched his older brother but eventually took up the sport himself. Rayyan, the youngest, started fencing at a very young age and later specialised in epee.

All three brothers have since progressed to the national level, competing in foil, with Uzair being Malaysia's No. 1 junior and No. 4 senior foil fencer for the 2025-26 season. Their mother insists that they never forced their sons to pursue fencing, and the brothers have always been allowed to decide their path in the sport, which has made the medals and national recognition even more satisfying for Badroel.