RAINFOREST CHALLENGE @IMAGO - Post event review

On a cool Sunday night, deep in the jungle, right in the middle of IMAGO….4 teams battle for supremacy to earn the title of IMAGO Rainforest Challenge Champion. The Rainforest Challenge was organized as part of IMAGO’s celebration of Kaamatan in Sabah ( read more about the background and concept of this challenge in my previous pre event post here)

4 teams were selected from the top 6 best time weekly winners. And these team are lead by 4 celebrity sports fitness personality; namely Allen Solomon Chong, Alexis Akang, Kevin Andrew and Adreanna Joyce ( read their profile in my pre-event post here ). It was a battle between 2 martial arts stars and 2 fitness coach! All the Team Captain's compression attire are Adidas sponsored by Grace One.

Each team needs to go through 5 obstacles in Rainforest Challenge. 1. Dangerous Steps.

2. Dangerous Vines. 3. Rolling Logs. 4. Spider Web. 5. Warrior Blow.

To identify their team members, each team needed a mark. Team leaders was given colour paint to paint ‘tattoo’ on their team members. Allen had loads of fun painting Naruto symbols on his teams’ faces. He even had one of his team members giving him an anchor ‘tattoo’ ala Popeye on his forearm! Adreanna’s team had orange coloured paint matching her Adidas outfit.

Face paint war!

Next up…what is a battle without a war cry? Azlan, the charismatic emcee ask each group to come up with their own version of war cry to rally their members spirit. Allen summons the ninja spirit by shouting Ninja, Ninja, Ninjassss! By the way his gym Alpha MMA logo has a Ninja on it.

Allen summoning his ninja power to psyche up his team

Team Kevin’s war cry was the most unique…” Biar patah tulang, jangan patah hati!” Which means let our bones break but not our hearts! That sounds romantic yet when shouted by these boys sounded like they are ready to go to war and break some bones!

After a few practice of the war cry, it’s off to the challenge. 1st up was Allen. Off to a very enthusiastic start but the 1st stage of Dangerous Steps proof its name as Allen got stuck on the last steps. But he managed to tackle the Dangerous Vine in fine form as he traverse the rope using the monkey crawl technique. The rolling logs proof to be the toughest obstacle. As there were crews there rolling the huge cylindrical logs against the direction of the participants. Participants that fell off the logs had to restart. It took Allen 3 attempts to complete this challengeg. It was a smooth crawl for him at the Spider Web as he turn on full ninja mode. Warrior Blow was easy with only 1 try to hit the target.

Next is Adreanna. She was careful at the Dangerous Steps and made through. At the Dangerous Vine, it was a smooth as she uses well controlled pace using the strength of the well-built upper body. But again the Rolling Logs was the culprit…faltered on the first and second attempt; especially on the middle log. For the 3rd attempt the crews stopped rolling and she made it through. At the Spider Web Adreanna tried twice to look for the best entrance. On 3rd try she crawled through. Warrior Blow does not look as easy as it seems, when your heart is pounding and your breathing is heavy it can affect your aim. She hit the target on the 4th blow.

3rd Team Captain was Kevin. He may not have the height but with wide stride Dangerous Steps was done. At Dangerous Vine, he started well but a slight misstep in the middle almost made him slipped but he manage to correct his steps instantly and complete the challenge. On to the ‘cursed’ Rolling Logs; With a swift leap he jump on the logs, fell on the middle logs but he did not fell off the logs, pull up quickly with his arms and crawl through! Spider Web was also a smooth crawl and end the Warrior low with one attempt and finished with 41 seconds, the best time among the team leader!

Last but not least, Alexis as the youngest team leader, with his grey camouflage Adidas compression attire, got through Dangerous Steps. In the middle of Dangerous Vine, stumbled in the middle, but used his strong arms to hold on and pull himself up and made through. The Rolling Logs is not an easy task. Alexis fell off twice. The middle logs was again the perpetrator. Made through on the 3rd run. Enter the Spider Web from the top left corner and exit to the Warrior Blow. Hit the target on the 3rd attempt and finished at the buzzer.

After the team Captain finished their run, it’s for the rest of the team members to go. It was all fun but challenging at the same time and these are the officials results:

The Best Team – Team Adreanna
1. Adreanna Joyce (Captain)
2. Romie Jamros
3. Adwin Tokiong
4. Jefri
5. Brenny Bethluc Seibit
6. Eric

Second Prize – Team Kevin Andrew
1. Kevin Andrew (Captain)
2. Ben Sar
3. Mohd Hafiey
4. Addy Boye Medil
5. Sheila Rani
6. Admil Beno

Third Prize – Team Alexis Akang
1. Alexis Akang (Captain)
2. Kaisal
3. Rina
4. Alih
5. Darrel Isaac
6. Darrall

Forth Prize – Team Allen Chong
1. Allen Chong (Captain)
2. Zul
3. Odong
4. Bryanater
5. Dayang Nurazy
6. Hazeem

The Best Team was determined by the total amount of point from each team competing faceoff (shortest time) with each other in stage .The member including the captain completing the obstacles and the team with the most point win the best team. Whereas, the Ultimate Warrior was determined based on the participants that complete the obstacle course with the shortest time.

Romie from Team Andreanna was crowned The Imago Rainforest Challenge Ultimate Warrior 2016, with the fastest speed of 40 secs.

Romie is the Ultimate Warrior with the best time

The 2 main prizes which were The Best Team (Fastest team) and The Ultimate Warrior were given out by Imago Shopping Mall Management, represented by Mr. Shahrizan Madi, Personal Assistant to CEO of Asianpac Holdings Berhad, Dr. Raymond Yu Tat Loong.

The prizes for The Best Team included Fitbit Flex fitness band,
Imago limited edition merchandise and voucher sponsored by tenants whereas The Ultimate Warrior got to bring home Samsung Galaxy Note 5.

A word of thanks to IMAGO mall for creating The Rainforest Challenge. I really hope to see more of this type of event in Sabah. It's also encouraging to see our martial arts and fitness personality being given the exposure and in fact they themselves too are a drawing factor to the local crowds.

Kudos too to the IMAGO team that work hard to ensure all things went smooth.

RAINFOREST CHALLENGE GRAND FINALE @ IMAGO

On May 10, I posted a review on DRAGON RUN, a 6km run with obstacles base on martial arts. At the end of the review I mentioned that how nice it would be to have this type of event in Sabah. Well I guess my wish came true. IMAGO Mall to celebrate the Kaamatan - Harvest Festival Month of Sabah, built an obstacle course challenge call RAINFOREST CHALLENGE right in the middle of its center concourse – The Oval.

The concept of this challenge is based on the beautiful nature of Sabah. With the setting of Sabah's rainforest, this obstacle course is a test of speed, agility and fitness. Anyone can join, just spend RM50 in accumulated receipts, and redeem your entry ticket on the same day of purchase to enter! Shoppers stand to win some limited edition Imago merchandise and vouchers. This challenge started on 13 MAY 2016, and each week the top 6 qualifying time will automatically be entered to the Grand Finale Challenge, on the 12 June 2016, this Sunday.

In the finale, the weekly winners will be teamed up with a guest celebrity sports personality. Each of these guests will lead their team to get the best time to finish. The team captain will need understand the different strength its members to enable him/her to strategize who to go first. More prizes will be given away during The Rainforest Challenge Grand Finale for the best team and best overall athlete!

So who are these team leaders? Well before that let’s see what do contestant need to do in the RAINFOREST CHALLENGE. All together there’s 5 challenges.

1st Challenge is call Dangerous Steps. These are stools-like steps at different height and the top is rotatable. Looks easy but when you are in a rush, as the top is rotatable, a slight misstep may result in you ending on the floor.

2nd Challenge : Dangerous Vine. This is where Ninja skills come in handy. Balance is the key here as you maneuver yourself across a hanging rope by holding on to a parallel rope on top.

3rd Challenge: Rolling Log. It’s made up of 3 big cylindrical ‘log’. These logs are stationary on its position but it can spin on its axle. In the weekly challenge, these logs are left unmanned, but in the Grand Finale, there will be crew there to spin it; and spin it fast they will. These makes the challenge much tougher as contestant will need to really have excellent timing, balance and speed to get through this part.

4th Challenge: Spider Web. This is a maze like contraption of mad criss crossing ropes. Going into these web of ropes is certainly a sure way to get yourself tangle up. Contestant need spider like abilities to control their bodies and limbs to move forward and out of the entanglement. The good news is…organizer will add on more ropes in the Grand Finale. I am so looking forward to people get frustrated here. So patience and calmness will also be a virtue in this challenge. Contestant... start meditating.

5th Challenge: The final challenge is call Warrior Blow. As the culture of Borneo, where local natives such as Dusun and Murut uses blow pipe to hunt, contestant will need to relive this and must hit the bullseye or at least the yellow area.

After completing all this challenge, contestants need to run to press the buzzer ala American Ninja to mark the end of the challenge.

Sounds like fun right? Ok so who is the team captain? these ( below ) was the original line up, but there's a slight change now.

Let's introduce you all one by one to the team captain.

Allen Solomon Chong. A popular figure in the martial arts world. A pro MMA fighter, he is the winner of the 1st MIMMA Lightweight belt & The finalist that was selected to represent South East Asia in UFC's :The Ultimate Fighter China, Allen is an architect...hmmm. So will he uses his architectural skills to figure out the best way to win? Allen also founded Alpha MMA; with a Ninja logo, Allen is gear up to bring home the grand prize for his team.

Original picture by Deb Gauges 

Kevin Andrew. A well known name in the fitness industry. Kevin is the Sabah state team leader for the hugely successful nationwide weight loss progrom JK1M ( Jom Kurus 1 Malaysia ). Kevin also fought MMA before but has put in his full focus now on coaching fitness. Being a very experience fitness coach, Kevin is confident of leading his team for the Grand Prize.

Another fitness celebrity, this is Adreanna Joyce. She is the the team leader for the JK1M Alamesra area. Fitness is Adrenna's passion and she can motivate people very effectively. These are qualities she believes will help her and her team emerging champion! 

Finaly, last but not least. Alexis Akang. He's name may not be familiar yet. Alexis is the replacement for Rayner Kinsiong ( Team Karabaw founder and ONE Championship pro MMA fighter ), Rayner had to decline participation due to commitment to work. 

Alexis is Rayner's brother in law. Only17 and being the youngest of all the team captain but Alexis is known as Sabah Muaythai prodigy. He participated in a number of competition last year and already achieve considerable success. He is improving in his fighting skills by the day but for this Rainforest Challenge, Alexis will use his youth and vigour to outsmart the rest to make sure his team win this challenge.

This looks like a battle between the fitness guru and the martial artist...so who ya got?

Thanking the foresight of IMAGO Mall management for creating such event in Sabah, I felt that by having our local martial arts and fitness personality as a highlight in their event certainly acknowledge the drawing power of these personality. Surely their team members from their own gym and affiliates will come in droves to watch and support them.

At the end of the day, this event brings together everyone to have healthy fun; and using an obstacle course challenge promotes healthy lifestyle and creates awareness on fitness. 

Grace One will be sponsoring ADIDAS apparel for the team captain

Personal Best time will win a SAMSUNG NOTE5 with VR gear. Best team, will win FitBit gear

Let's all go down to IMAGO Mall this Sunday 12 JUNE 2016, to watch a local mini version of Ninja Warrior.  For more infor please call Ardie 010-957 9748 or IMAGO Mall 088-275 888

want infor, look for Ardie

Mohammed Mahmoud: The Jordan Connection

It was 27 years ago in 1989 a young Mahmoud Omar, decided to pack his bag and come to Malaysia. He has heard much about Malaysia through his uncle whom has moved here since the 70s. Travelling half way across the world from Jordan, Mahmoud enrolled in U.I.A ( Intl. Islamic University ).Eventually met a Malaysian woman of his dream and started a family.

Raising 3 boys and a girl in KL is not an easy job. Equipped with the Economics degree from UIA Mahmoud started a trading business to support his family. When his second son Mohammed Mahmoud was born, Mahmoud thought he has Chinese features and thinking that his boy will help him in business one day; enrolled him in a Chinese kindergarten.

Mohammed Mahmoud does not show much interest in the academics field. Growing up he always got into fights. Many times Mahmoud had to discipline him, and as a father Mahmoud recalled how Mohammed would hold back his tears and showed no fear when scolded.

Gifted with good looks and natural athleticism, Mohammed was keen on fitness and building a fit body. He would always do pull ups and sit ups at home. “ Dad can I join the gym nearby?” that was the questions that lead Mahmoud bringing his son to check out Sampuri MuayThai Gym that was just a few blocks away from their home in Bandar Baru Ampang.


Mahmoud knew that his son’s only played soccer and futsal in school; feeling a bit intimidated as he watched the people at Sampuri kicked pads and sparred, asked his son again, “Are you sure you wanna do this?” “ Yes” answered Mohammed enthusiastically, thinking Muaythai will be a good way to keep fit.

That was in Dec 2014, and so the martial arts journey began for Mohammed. It was like putting fuel to fire, Mohammed learned fast. He was very dedicated and discipline in training. Even when Sampuri Gym moved to Ampang Jaya, he bugged his elder brother Nidal to send him for training on his bike. What started as a fitness endeavor now became an obsession for Mohammed as his Muaythai skills developed.

Emiey Sampuri was Mohammed’s first coach. After just 5 months of training by, Emiey felt he is ready to take his first fight. It was in a Naga Api event in Gombak. Mahmoud was at ring side nervously capturing his son’s first fight on camera. It took Mohammed just 2 minute to end the fight with a head kick TKO. Mahmoud hand was still trembling as he witness his son’s victory. Tasting victory and knowing that he can still improve from there on, Emiey continue to nurture Mohammed as a fighter. His brother Eman also was instrumental in developing Mohammed’s fighting skills.

Mohammed eventually turned pro and by the time he came to Sabah in June 2015 for D1 Fighting Championship: Rise Above the Rest, was already having a 7-0-0 record. But it was not a successful outing going against local Sabahan - Shah ‘The Black Machine’. A bad weight cut badly dehydrated Mohammed and affected his performance in the ring. This loss made him learned more about his body and he knew that he best fight in featherweight and it affected him mentally too…in his mind he is determined to learn from this loss and come back stronger.

Fighting Shah in D1FC

Stronger he indeed became. By Dec 2015, he was the MUAYFIGHT featherweight champion. MUAYFIGHT was a huge national level Muaythai challenge that gather all the Nak Muay in Malaysia for a league format fights. Muayfight belt was truly a very sweet victory for Mohammed. He fought through 13 tough opponents to meet a formidable – Rayan Abdul from Sabah in the finals. The grand finals fight was televised in RTM - TV1. His victory was celebrated not only by his family here in Malaysia but also in Jordan by Mahmoud’s side of the family.

Sweet victory winning the Muayfight belt in 2015

Mohammed is always game for a good fight. In Jan 2016, he cornered his brother Nidal for an MMA fight at Pesta Selangor. Turns out a fighter pulled out, Mohammed decided to step in. His father was worried as Mohammed does not train MMA and has no experience in grappling. Determined that he can keep the fight standing, he finished his opponent in the 90th seconds of the 1st round. That was his first ever MMA fight but Mohammed’s heart is still in Muaythai. That 1st fight was just a chance that came upon him and he loves a challenge and took it without thinking twice.

Recently in April 2016, he came back to Sabah to fight in STAND, in the main event- Super 8 Featherweight. He came back determine to wipe out the memory of the loss in D1FC. STAND was organized by Karabaw Gym in the scenic beach resort of Nexus Karambunai. But it was not a holiday for him as he prepares himself mentally & physically.

He qualified for the Grand Final. Meeting Uriel French of MuayFit in a 3 round final fight, it was a close fight, as both fighters was aggressive in the attack and accurate in the counter; but a flurry of punch combos in the 3rd round from Mohammed resulted in Uriel getting a standing count which gave Mohammed a decision victory and emerge as Champion.

This victory in his second time in Sabah erased the memory of his loss in D1FC. “STAND competition was excellently managed, I hope to compete here again with them; and hopefully next time they can make it in a big place or a stadium so that many people can come and see.”

Mohammed’s record now is 23-0-0 for amateur fights, 11-2-0 for Pro fights with a total K.O. wins of 20 times. Mohammed has dedicated his life to fighting. It takes a lot of resources to keep an active full time fighting career. Sponsors are crucial as pay for pro fighters in Malaysia is not something that can make you rich. Mahmoud himself spend a lot supporting Mohammed on flights, accommodation and even printing of T-shirts. Not forgetting on supplements and treatment as this job comes with plenty of injuries.

Sponsors the life line of a full time fighter

The limited edition Jordon Boy t-shirt , design by fight design maestro Bob Khairy of TEMPUR

Potosan Corner - always being very supportive of young potential fighters in Malaysia. 

Mahmoud never misses his son’s fight. When Mohammed started fighting, Mahmoud change career to become a contractor. He also helps manage Al-Andalus, an Arabian Restaurant, which he did some contract work before. This gave him a more flexible time which enabled him to travel with his son to support him in his fights. This is why Mohammed decides to use ‘JORDAN BOY’ as his ring name to honour his dad’s many sacrifice for him in this sports.

Now Mohammed also has his elder brother Nidal in his corner. Throughout those days of sending Mohammed to training, eventually Nidal also picked up Muaythai and quickly became a formidable fighter himself.

Brotherly love...lookin out for each other

Mahmoud and Nidal is Mohammed’s pillar of strength. Mahmoud manages Mohammed’s fight career and Nidal is always there to help him in training. The motivation from his mother and younger sister and brother also gives Mohammed a reason to carry on. His younger brother Putera Abdullah now also has taken up Muaythai and training hard to become a fighter himself.

Family support - the foundation of a successful fight career

Aside from training and fighting, Mohammed’s life revolves around his family. His idea of a break is to spend time at home with family and watching TV or listening to tunes from One Direction. A good meal for him is a plate of good steaming Nasi Lemak with good sambal and a cup of tea.

You will notice that he always smiles…”I am an easy going person outside the ring, in the ring I will be a different person. I will be more focus on my fight and my opponents. I have many friends around me; smile is the key to attract people.”

On his fighting style,” I have my own style in the fight, people come not only to see the fight; they come to see the fighter, their way of entering the ring, their Wai Kru dance, and their costume. Cause some fight end up in few seconds. I like to smile and be happy when I fight, but once the fight start in different direction I try to change my style and change my technics.”

Showmanship....an important way to build character and create a fan base

Mohammed Jaraya is Jordan Boy’s favorite fighter. This 20 year old kid is from Morocco and a kickboxing sensation in Europe that is the current ENFUSION League 70kg Champion. Jordan Boy admire the skills of this Moroccon fighter that packs a bomb in his hand and machine gun combo of kicks and hooks. 

Jordan Boy next fight will be in boxing. He has been selected to represent Kuala Lumpur for SUKMA (Sukan Malaysia) in July, after that will be back to Muaythai. He is one of the feature fighters ( together with his brother Nidal ) in The Warrior; an upcoming Muaythai championship that pit Malaysian’s best Muaythai exponent with the best Muaythai  fighters from Thailand. Mohammed and Nidal was chosen due to their youth and the potential they have shown not just in their fighting skills but the warrior spirit they have.



The journey to carve a name for himself as a fighter has already begun for Mohammed. He was known as Malaysian Muaythai wonderkid. Now is the time to for him to excel and build his name as a formidable fighter in this region and also the world.

Ice Comet : Audrey Laura @ FMD11

As the state of Sabah celebrate the harvest Festival in the month of May with family gathering, singing, dancing and drinking...a petite girl from Papar, Sabah, Malaysian Borneo has been putting in many hours of hard training in her gym Borneo Tribal Squad. She is preparing her self for battle in a cage

Come 4 June 2016, as Malaysia celebrate it's King's birthday...this girl will be fighting for Malaysian pride. Happening in Bangkok for Full Metal Dojo 11. This is her debut MMA fight, going against Sunisa Srisan, a Thai in her homeground.
Her name  is Audrey,... Doctor Audrey Laura Boniface.

Audrey understand very well how brutal an MMA fight can be as she is a practicing medical doctor in Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Kota Kinabalu Sabah, in the emergency department. She has seen many trauma and emergency cases in real fights and sports, during her work; but this does not deter her, in fact it gives her the boost and motivates her to improve her skills to be a more efficient fighter.

Below Warriors of Borneo caught up with her before she flew to Bangkok on Thursday night.

Can you tell us some background about yourself?
I am 27, a Kadazandusun from Papar , Sabah
I went to SK.Langkawit, SMK Benoni Papar and graduated from University Kebangsaan Malaysia.
I currently have Pro-Fight record of 2-0-0 (under One Silat). I have several amateur competitions as well in BJJ, Kick Boxing, etc.

How did you started martial arts? Were you an active person during school/uni?
I was quite active in school as an athlete since I was a little kid - be it track & field, hockey, futsal, netball, volleyball. I have always loved outdoor activities - especially being a Sabahan surrounded by such amazing nature to enjoy all the outdoor sports!

I started martial arts in university where I studied Taekwando and got my black belt 1st dan, as well as a few medals in Taekwando tournaments where I was competing together with my teammates.

After I started my job as a Doctor here in KK approx. two years ago, I become seriously involved in mixed martial arts (MMA) with the Borneo Tribal Squad.  


What makes you choose Borneo Tribal Squad ( BTS )? 
I love the family environment in BTS. Everyone genuinely cares about each other not only in the gym but outside of the gym as well. My family (parents, siblings) live in Johor Bharu and may feel far away to me, but I have my brothers and sisters here in BTS which means the world to me. Their support and friendship are incredible! 

You have have fought Pro in Silat twice…what makes u decide to do a Pro Silat fight? Did you fought MMA before?
To be honest, I never once thought about being a fighter. But Coach AJ approached me one day with the opportunity to go for a Pro-fight in One Silat. I immediately said yes! I took the challenge, I love exploring new things, and this forced me out of my comfort zone - to be bold and go for it! 

I am glad I did. 

 

As a Doctor how do you squeeze in time for training?
I have a hectic work schedule as you can imagine! Pressure at work, still have exams, and I work shifts - then I still need to schedule in my training. I always try my best to come to training, even for 1 hour - what ever I can fit in and any time I have a break. It gets easier, you just need to prioritize tasks and time, stay focused, and I am so blessed to have a coach and teammates who are really flexible and sometimes come out to train around my work shifts! 

 

When you have a fight coming, does work affect your training schedule? 
I would be lying if I said no! It does, but i will usually try to maximize my training time during fight camp. Again, it involved a lot of time management and I am lucky to have a coach and team who are so flexible to train around my schedule.

How does your family view your fighting career?
They give their full support now, even though at first my mom wasn't too happy about me getting involved in this so called brutal sport of MMA. They are very proud of me and I feel really fortunate to have them behind me.

As a fighter do you prefer to keep a fight standing or bring it to the ground?
I love both! And my game plan ultimately depends on my opponent. 

 


Who’s your biggest influence in fighting?
My coach AJ! Without him, I would never have dreamed I could compete at this level. He really believes in all of us and helps push us out of our comfort zones to higher levels. Then the team, we support each other in pushing to be better each day.

What makes you decide to fight at FMD?
Much like my One Silat fights, Coach AJ came to me and said there is an opportunity to fight in FMD and I immediately said I'm in!

Fighting in FMD is rather interesting,…coz it happens in a Bangkok nightclub and has that feel of an underground events…does it intimidate you? 
Instead of feeling intimidated, I feel super excited! I cant wait to be there and feel the fun in the cage! I want to absorb the energy there and use it in my fight.

Who will you be fighting in FMD? What is your outlook on the fight? Have u got opportunity to study ur opponent? 
I am fighting a home town Thai woman, so that can be tough to be the outsider or foreigner. But I am excited that my Q23 Bangkok/American Top Team family under Professor Adam Shahir Kayoom will be coming out to support me at FMD - I will still have people there to support me which is awesome and I have all my team in my heart as I travel to Bangkok!  

What do you think is your strength? 
My mental strength. To be able to do my job as a doctor and as a fighter being mentally tough is very important. I use this in my competitions.

How far do u want to take up your fighting career?
Well, as long as I'm alive!!! As long as I can still stand on my own two feet! God's willing, I will continue to fight.
At the Pan Asians in Manila last month, I saw a man competing in BJJ who was in his 70s or 80s. This really inspires me - I plan to stay active for decades to come! 

 


What is your most memorable moments in your fighting career so far? 
The smiles of my teammates, especially my coach when the judge raised my hand alone in the cage at the end of the fight. Just the most incredible feeling!


What is your typical diet when fighting? What about your cheat meal? 
I usually don't cut weight for my fights! I just eat healthy diet and avoid any junk food - which is really important for peak athletic performance. For my cheat meals I really just 'cheat' once in a blue moon :)

How do you unwind from your job as a doctor? How do you unwind after a hard training?
After years doing the same routine, back and forth being a doctor and martial artist everyday...by hook or by crook I learn how to focus and be in the moment. I am Dr.Audrey when I'm at the hospital and I'm Audrey 'Ice Comet' during training. To unwind, time relaxing and laughing with friends and catching up with rest!

Fighting pro looks like only can happen out of Sabah…how do you feel about this in terms of financial commitment and convenience? 
MMA is growing around the region. I am sure their will be local pro opportunities soon. I enjoy the travel to go fight. Financially being a fighter can be tough, coaching, supplements, gear, travel, etc quickly add up. For the most part the team and sponsors have really helped me a lot and I know they play an incredibly critical role to the success of all my teammates!

Do you believe that doing a local fight camp in Kota Kinabalu ( KK ) or will be thinking of training other place to gain experience? Do you think in KK you can get good sparring partner? 
I believe the coaching and strength and conditioning are top notch here at The Borneo Tribal Squad. They bring in a variety of coaches - local and foreign, and other pro fighters come do their training camps here with us too, so it shows that the training is good. We also have a growing number of pro-fighters on our team, so we are constantly trying to bring each other's levels up.

Get a taste of the crazy fighters training by BTS

How do you feel having Ann Osman as your team mate? 

I am grateful and lucky to have her on the team. She is not only my senior teammate but she is also now my non-blood related sister!!! She is really a big sister to me and such an incredible support in and out of training!

How do you feel having AJ as coach? 
I am super lucky to have AJ Pyro as my Coach. I don't think I can find any other coach who would understand my hectic working schedule like he does. I know I always give him headache as he has to alter training to suit my working schedule but I am very appreciative of his patience, understanding and also of how much he is always pushing me to be better in side and outside of the cage.  


Do you have any habit / ritual that you do pre fight? 
I always believe in prayer, it is powerful. So every time before I step into the ring/cage I pray and I tell my self I got this! I am BTS pride...we always say 'BREATHE BELIEVE BATTLE' - take a breath, say a prayer, believe in yourself and go to battle!

What’s your go to technique? What’s your favourite combo? 
I always love simple combos. Simple but deadly effective. Every combo that ends with knockout is always my favourite!

Does practicing martial arts benefit you in your career as a doctor? 
Yes,it helps a lot, physically and mentally. It boosts my confidence, it helps me stay focused. It also teaches me a lot about respect, discipline, time management and punctuality.

Describe your own personality? And what you value in life? 
I value the typical relationship between family and friends. I feel that the people around me are very valuable and should be cherished deeply.

Who gave u the nick name ICE COMET? What is the meaning? 
Coach AJ gave me this fight name. He says I am "cool as ice, and fast and dangerous like the comet shooting by!"

What is your fav food in Sabah? Where is your fav place to visit?
Traditional food has always had a big place in my heart - Tuhau n bambangan! My fave! I love travelling. I don't have any specific favourite country or state to visit, I just love to travel and see new places....BUT my ultimate favourite place is my parents house!!!

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Warriors of Borneo also manage to speak to Coach AJ Lias Mansor, Audrey's coach. AJ is the founder of BTS and head coach there. He is a Silat Champion and the ONE FC Malaysian Featherweight Champion. 

What do you see in Audrey that makesyou let her fight pro?
AJ: I have my own standard for my fighters before they turn to pro. She already went through some amateur fights and tournaments in grappling, MMA and kickboxing. She's already pro in ONE Silat (MMA rules with 2-0 record). Most of all, she shows outstanding commitment towards here training with a positive attitude. Audrey has a hectic schedule as a medical doctor serving at a government hospital, but always fits in and commits to her training. 
 


Who will be cornering her in FMD? 
AJ: Professor Adam Kayoom and I will corner her. 

Who is the sponsor for her FMD fight? 
AJ: It's sad, but there is no one sponsoring her fight. I will be using my own pocket money for her supplements and some other expenses, plus when I work with the fighters, I cut down my work/income to focus training them. It's not always easy to find sponsors for all the fighters, especially when they are relatively new, and the reality is the cost of training camps (coaching, supplements, training gear and extra expenses around travelling to the fight) really can add up. The fight purse for most fights, even pro-level, are still very minimal, we all do it out of passion!

How did the FMD fight came about? 
AJ: The Borneo Tribal Squad has developed a strong network and reputation for the quality of fighters we deliver, and we have already been working with FMD for years!!! So FMD asked for our fighters. Audrey already as a good reputation and visibility, especially through her One Silat fights - they were excited to match her with an opponent for the June card in Bangkok.

BTS has build itself into a gym that produces many pro fighter, especially females, what is your secret? 
AJ: My experience as a school teacher, as a brother, years of experience as a personal trainer and I studied sport psychology in University. Females are unique and special human beings who are often dismissed for combat or other 'rugged' sports typically dominated by men. I think many coaches/teams don't have the understanding to develop women into the amazing high-level fighters they can be.

What character do you look for in a fighter? 
AJ: Willing to make sacrifices, a positive mindset and attitude, and HEART.

Tell me about the 1st day you met Audrey, how u met her and how was her 1st class at BTS? 
AJ: Her first day in BTS gym, she tagged along with a friend who was already training at BTS. 

Audrey was very quite but doing her training with full energy and enthusiasm! :-)

Warriors of Borneo wishes Dr Audrey a successful fight.
Cool as Ice, swift as Comet, the ICE COMET gonna sweep all legs at FMD 11