The best performances from Malaysia's martial artists in 2019

IT HAS been a great year for Malaysian warriors in ONE Championship.

Some bagged the biggest victory of their careers, exhibiting true character and spirit, while others returned to the winning bracket in style.

It has been non-stop action in The Home Of Martial Arts in 2019. We look at how some of Malaysia’s very own unit of martial artists performed throughout the year.

#1 – Jihin Radzuan vs. Jomary Torres

Jihin “Shadow Cat” Radzuan got off to a shaky start, losing to Gina “Conviction” Iniong by split decision in February.

However, “Shadow Cat” redeemed herself with a mesmerizing performance in front of her hometown supporters at ONE: MASTERS OF DESTINY in July.

The 21-year-old Johor native needed only three minutes of the opening stanza to seal a triangle choke victory over Jomary “The Zamboanginian Fighter” Torres.

It was a performance filled with raw power from both parties – Jihin swung heavy leather on her opponent, while Torres slammed her opposite number to the ground early on.

However, none of those slams came to use, as a more fired-up Jihin saw the opportunity for a finish, transitioning from an armbar into a triangle choke for a fifth career win.

#2 – Ev Ting vs. Daichi Abe

If we were to pick one of the most thrilling matches involving a Malaysian athlete this year, that accolade has to go to Auckland MMA’s Ev “ET” Ting.

Ting shocked his hometown crowd in a back-and-forth thriller inside the Axiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur against Daichi Abe.

The Malaysian-Kiwi powerhouse started off the round with plenty of gusto, trying takedowns and throwing heavy strikes at Abe, who diffused them with his reach advantage and staggered Ting twice.

Despite the rough start, “ET” flipped the script in the second round, catching his Japanese contender with a booming overhand that sent the Pancrase Champion crashing to the canvas.

While trying to escape from Ting’s grasp, Abe, unfortunately, gave up his back. And Ting quickly capitalized on the situation to sink in a rear-naked choke at 4:44 of round two.

#3 – Agilan Thani vs. Yoshihiro Akiyama

Agilan “Alligator” Thani made a thunderous return to the Circle back on 15 June at ONE: LEGENDARY QUEST against Japanese-Korean martial arts icon Yoshihiro “Sexy Yama” Akiyama.

The Malaysian welterweight sensation began the momentous bout by delivering the first strike but was met with a hip throw from Akiyama.

“Alligator,” living up to his moniker, kept Akiyama in deep waters, using constant forward pressure to set up a variety of heavy strikes and takedowns.

“Sexy Yama” made sure to counter them with his grappling throughout the match, but Agilan’s determination proved to be too much for the Japanese icon, as all three judges gave the Malaysian hero the unanimous decision win.