With the suspension of sporting events due to the COVID-19 situation, BruSports News will be running a 'Know Your Brunei Athlete' series to get to know them better.

We will kick things off with pencak silat exponent Anisah Najihah Abdullah as she tells us about her journey so far.

Q: Let’s start by telling us some things about Anisah Najihah.

A: I’m 23 this year but 20 at heart. I’m the eldest of two siblings and I’m a final year student at Universiti Brunei Darussalam.

Before doing pencak silat, I have played many other sports such as netball, swimming, running and badminton. Swimming was the first sport that I picked up when I was four years old.

I like to travel and explore other countries. One of the places that I really want to visit is the Milky Way, New Zealand. That is my dream holiday destination.

My favourite movie is The Miracle Season, which is based on a true story of a volleyball team.

Favourite colour is white or pastel colours while my favourite foods are sushi, seafood and buttermilk along with Teh C special.

As for my favourite person, obviously my mom (always be my mommy) and you (the reader) and Syasya (bff).

Q: How did you get yourself into pencak silat?

A: My mom forced me to join the club when I was 11 eventhough I completely had no interest. But I just obeyed what my mother told me to do because mother knows best and whatever she wanted me to do that time was the best thing for me - so here I am.

Q: If it wasn’t for silat, what sports do you think you will be doing?

A: Football or gymnastics? But that's more likely my dream sport. Realistically, I would be doing taekwondo since it's still under the martial arts category.

Q: Who is your inspiration for the sport?

A: Puspa Arum Sari from Indonesia and Zuhairah from Singapore. Both are champions in Seni Tunggal hence I look up to them as my inspiration.

Q: What is your best memory for the sport so far?

A: Every time I walk out from the arena/gelanggang is the best memory I would say because that's the end of my burden? Ok jokes.

The best memory was when I was kicked out from the team before joining a competition because apparently I wasn't qualified enough.

I didn't let that stop me, so I trained harder as I wanted to prove them wrong and that I actually deserved that spot.

The following year I won gold for Brunei - which was the first ever silat gold for the country at the 7th ASEAN School Games in 2015.

Q: Pretty sure you have bigger targets in the near future. Care to share them with us?

A: I still want to represent Brunei at the SEA Games and the World Championships for at least another three times. Hopefully I will be able to secure that spot.

If one day, silat is included in the Olympics, I would be more than honoured to represent Brunei because to compete at the Olympics is a dream of every athlete.

Q: Pencak Silat used to be the main sport that everyone talks about in Brunei about a decade or more by roping in medals at the SEA Games. How do you compare the standard of the sport of then and now?

A: Obviously the competitors are getting tougher and stronger now compared to before because training programmes are becoming more advanced as we live in era of technologies.

So no doubt their movements are getting powerful and sharp. Both genders are now more or less on the same level. Moreover, new rules were implemented this year to reach standards put forward by the Olympics.

Q: What makes a good pencak silat athlete? What are the core attributes that an athlete should possess?

A: I think it all starts with intentions followed by self discipline, sacrifice and determination. If your intentions are good, Insya Allah, the road will definitely pave its way for you.

Self discipline is a must! It has to be instilled in an athlete because you have to prepare for a life-long commitment. On top of that, you need to sacrifice your time and energy for the sake of training.

Time management is important as well, and last but not least, is determination. You must have the passion and desire to win.

Q: Before going into any competition, how do you make sure you are fully ready to perform at your best?

A: Usually I would reminisce all the hard work I had gone through, the sweat and the tears, to achieve what my coach needed me to do, the times I spent on training, all the support that people gave me so I need to give them back, sacrifices I made just to have that spot, so that I would become motivated.

I spend less time on social media usually few days before competition, just to completely focus on my target. I would seek advice from coaches and lastly I have to prepare myself mentally.

Q: Who is your favourite Disney princess? Or are you more of a superhero movie kind of person?

A: Cinderella. it taught me a life long lesson. Had Cinderella gone back to pick up her glass slipper, she would never have become a princess. So, in life, we just got to keep going and never turn back because you lose something to gain something so much more than you deserve.

But who needs a princess when you can be your own version princess though?

Q: Last but now least, any advice you want to give to up and coming athletes?

A: Jangan give up and remember, do this for Brunei ❤️