IT was a SEA Games to forget for defending champion Mohd Faizul Mohd Nasir.
The national pencak silat exponent Faizul had a stroke of bad luck when he was injured in the face while sparring against Filipino Dines Dumaan in the second round of the Putra B class (50-55kg) at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Centre.
Faizul, who won at the 2015 edition in Singapore and the 2017 Kuala Lumpur Games, was reportedly kicked in the face by Dumaan while attempting a takedown during his bout and was rushed to the James L. Gordon Memorial Hospital for further treatment.
Dumaan was declared the winner with the result at 5-0.
A delay in providing prompt medical aid to Faizul by the competition secretariat drew the ire of national sparring coach Mazlan Saari.
Said the Malaysian National Silat Federation (Pesaka) secretary-general Datuk Megat Zulkarnain Omardin, who is also the chef de mission: “The hospital’s medical team are working to stabilise Faizul’s condition.” — Bernama