Iqbal Abdul Rahman
Iqbal Abdul Rahman (born 30 July 1993) is a decorated Singaporean pencak silat exponent. He has won various accolades throughout his sporting career, across various championships such as the World Pencak Silat Championships, Southeast Asia Pencak Silat Championships, and SEA Games.[1]
Iqbal after winning his first-ever SEA Games gold medal at the 2022 Games. Photo from Singapore National Olympic Council.
Background
Education
According to his Facebook profile, Iqbal had studied at ITE College East, before moving on to study at the Singapore Sports School.[1]
Awards
Iqbal is a decorated pencak silat exponent, having won various awards such as the World Championship in 2018, four Asian Championship gold medals, and two World Championship silver medals in 2015 and 2016.[2][3]
2018 World Pencak Silat Championships
After four unsuccessful attempts at the World Pencak Silat Championships, Iqbal finally won his first World Championship title in 2018.[4] At the event, he scored 467 points to beat fellow finalists Ilyas Sadara from Thailand (457 points) and Dino Bima S. from Indonesia (453 points).[4] His previous best results at the World Championships were silvers in 2015 and 2016.[4]
8th Southeast Asia Pencak Silat Championship
At the 8th Southeast Asia Pencak Silat Championships held in Singapore in early 2022, Iqbal scored 9.945 in the Senior Artistic Male Single event, securing him the gold medal for the event.[5]
2022 SEA Games
Iqbal with his first-ever SEA Games gold medal. Photo from Singapore National Olympic Council.
At the 2022 SEA Games in Hanoi, Iqbal secured his first ever SEA Games gold medal, after having been unsuccessful in his last five attempts.[6] During the men's artistic singles (Tunggal) final, he attained an average score of 9.960 from 10 judges, beating fellow finalist Ilyas Sadara from Thailand, who had scored 9.930.[7] This was also Singapore’s first gold medal at the 2022 Games.
Commenting on his win, Iqbal said that:
“I am beyond grateful. I am always confident and I am always feeling great about my capabilities. I did not have the slightest doubt about myself. I was confident I would give my everything and I managed to do that. It's always great to be the first one to contribute to anything. I am happy to win the first gold medal for the silat team and Singapore. It's a good feeling.”[7]
Previously, Iqbal had won a silver medal at the 2019 SEA Games in the Philippines, and a bronze medal at the 2015 SEA Games in Singapore.[8] Both medal wins were in the same men’s artistic singles event.
References / Citations
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Muhammadd Iqbal Abdul Rahman. “Muhammad Iqbal Abdul Rahman About Contact and basic info”. Facebook. n.d. Accessed 12 May 2022.
- ↑ Shah, Irwan. “Silat exponent Iqbal wins S'pore's 1st gold at 31st SEA Games”. Mothership. May 11, 2022. Accessed 12 May 2022.
- ↑ Muhammad Iqbal Abdul Rahman. “@iqbal_abdulrahman”. Instagram. n.d. Accessed 12 May 2022.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Chia, Nicole. “A silat world title for Iqbal, finally”. TNP. December 14, 2018. Accessed 13 May 2022.
- ↑ “Silat: Hosts Singapore wrap up successful Southeast Asia Pencak Silat Championship campaign”. SportPlus News. February 28, 2022. Accessed 13 May 2022.
- ↑ Mohan, Matthew. “Iqbal finally strikes SEA Games gold on his sixth attempt”. CNA. May 11, 2022. Accessed 12 May 2022.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Ganesan, Deepanraj. “SEA Games: No words to describe this feeling, says Iqbal Abdul Rahman after silat win”. The Straits Times. May 11, 2022. Accessed 13 May 2022.
- ↑ Mohan, Matthew. “Silat exponent Iqbal wins Singapore's first gold at 31st SEA Games”. CNA. May 11, 2022. Accessed 12 May 2022.