In less than a month, the 19-year-old athlete will clash her opponents in the biggest multi-sport event in the country.
This third-semester student of the Faculty of Law of the University of Gorontalo spent her last days practicing at the Alex Olii Camp, Gorontalo City.
This year, she is targeting a gold medal in Muaythai in the under 48-kilogram class. She is the only athlete to represent Gorontalo Province.
“At the 2016 PON, I failed to bring home a medal in wushu, as I came fourth. However, this year, I am sure of getting a medal in Muaythai," Mahmud noted during her practice on Friday.
The fourth child of the couple Husin Mahmud and Ester Mooduto has indeed been involved in several martial arts since an early age, as she grew up in a family of sports enthusiasts.
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"My mother used to be a volleyball player and athlete, while my older brother was a silat and wushu athlete, and my older sister and younger brother chose silat," Mahmud remarked.
Apart from muaythai, Mahmud is also a wushu and karate athlete, with a string of achievements in the three sports.
At the age of 14, she became the first winner of the Muaythai women's cadet in the Pre-Qualification I PON XIX West Java and the first winner of the Muaythai National League Series V.
She also came third in the Muaythai National League Series VIII at the age of 15 and was a runner-up in the 2019 PON XX Pre-Qualification.
According to Mahmud, Muaythai, which originated in Thailand, is more motivating and uplifting as compared to other types of martial arts.
“In karate, the punch must be controlled, whereas in Muaythai, it is more flexible. Hence, we become more expressive,” she added.
Mahmud's opponent in Papua PON should be alerted, seeing her list of achievements and her spirit.
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Translator: Debby H. Mano, Resinta S
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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