No time to lose for Ain as he struggles to shed extra kilos

TIME is of the essence for muay exponent Ain Kamarrudin as he tries to whip himself into shape for the KL SEA Games next month.

The 2013 Myanmar SEA Games bronze medallist is set to fight in the 57kg category, but he is three kilogrammes overweight.

Ain knows that the toughest part of his training will be to shed the extra weight before the competition gets under way at the Malaysia International Trade & Exhibition Centre (MiTEC) Hall 8 in Kuala Lumpur from Aug 26-29.

“I’m used to hard and strenuous training sessions. But the most difficult part for me is meeting the weight requirement for the fight. I am 60kg now, so I have to lose the excess weight. I’m working hard to achieve it,” said the 25-year-old Ain, who is Malaysia’s best bet for a gold medal.

“After the Myanmar Games, I fought on the pro circuit and for Kelantan in the Sarawak Sukma. Now, it’s back to the SEA Games.

“I’m excited but I also know that there’s a lot hard work ahead if I want to be at the top of my game. I have to control my diet now.”

Malaysia competed in muay for the first time and returned with a commendable haul of two golds and three bronzes in Myanmar 2013.

The sport was not contested in Singapore 2015.

Kuala Krai-local Ain has no qualms about fighting in front of the home crowd.

Instead, he believes it will motivate him to go for gold.

Ain expects the Vietnamese exponents to be his biggest obstacle.

“In Naypyitaw, I aimed for bronze and I got it,” said Ain.

“This time, I want the gold and I’m confident I can get it. I know I have what it takes to achieve the gold medal because I have been working hard in training.”

Ain has one last assignment before the SEA Games. He will compete in the 57kg category at the World Games (TWG) in Wroclaw, Poland, from July 20-30.

This time, I want the gold and I’m confident I can get it. I know I have what it takes to achieve the gold medal because I have been working hard in training.

Ain Kamarrudin