Sabahan Wins Gold In Wai Kru At 2025 IFMA World Championships With Elegance & Grace
Way to go, Angie!
Cover image via Sabahan athlete Angie Yan Jia Chi has struck gold once again, winning the Wai Kru event at the 2025 International Federation of Muaythai Associations (IFMA) Senior World Championships in Antalya, Turkey
The 23-year-old wowed the judges with a stunning performance that gracefully blended cultural tradition and technical precision in the Under-23 Female division finals.
Scoring 9.60 points, Yan edged out her closest competitor, Rhichein Yosorez Lrena from the Philippines, by a razor-thin margin of 0.1 points.
According to The Star, this marks Yan's third consecutive world title in her age category, following wins in Thailand (2023) and Greece (2024), solidifying her mastery in the art of wai kru.
According to IFMA, wai kru is a centuries-old traditional ritual and ceremonial dance, performed before muay thai matches
It has become a full medal event within IFMA over the past eight years, offering a spotlight to practitioners to honour the tradition without stepping into the ring for combat.
The international federation praised Yan's recent routine for its "elegance, tradition, and technical mastery", calling it a standout performance that reflects both personal dedication and national pride.
"This performance is a testament to Malaysia's deep muay thai heritage and the athlete's dedication to preserving the cultural art of wai kru at the highest level of competition," read IFMA's congratulatory message on Facebook.
Beyond the medals, Yan also had the honour of being selected to perform at the 2024 Paris Olympics — not in competition, but as part of a cultural showcase to promote muay thai on the world stage
"It is about more than just competition, it is about honouring a tradition and showing the world how much it means to us," Yan previously shared.
Her mother, speaking to The Star, credited Yan's latest achievement to her discipline and deep respect for the Thai martial arts' roots.
"This win not only adds another gold to Malaysia's medal tally, but also highlights the determination and cultural pride of our youth in keeping tradition alive on the world stage," she said.
