‘Kilat Boy’ Daeloniel new challenger in 54kg category at Malaysia Cup Boxing Championship

'Kilat Boy' Daeloniel (third left) standing at the podium with other winners at the Penang International Boxing Competition on Dec 31, 2022. Photo taken from Daeloniel's Facebook page

KUCHING, Jan 2: Sarawakian boxer Daeloniel McDelon Bong, popularly known as ‘Kilat Boy’, will participate in the 54 kilogrammes (kg) category for the first time ever at the Malaysia Cup Boxing Championship.

The championship is set to take place at the new National Sports Council (NSC) Complex in Nilai, Negeri Sembilan, from Jan 23 to Jan 28.

According to news portal Suara Sarawak, Daeloniel said the decision was made as a preparation ahead of the SEA Games, which will take place this year.

“This will be challenging because I have only participated in the 56kg, 57kg, and 60kg categories before.

“I do not want to become too comfortable with my current position to avoid feeling too confident in every match,” he said.

Last Saturday (Dec 31, 2022), Daeloniel emerged as champion in the 57kg category at the Penang International Boxing Competition in Georgetown, Penang.

TVS reported that the 23-year-old boy from Sri Aman, who was representing National Sports Council (MSN), defeated the Malaysian Armed Forces’ (ATM) Jemis Wong Lee Onn after three rounds.

“In the first round, I kept throwing punches at the opponent and continued the momentum until the third round.

“Even though I was aware that I was in the lead, I tried to maintain my focus because I was afraid that the match could get competitive,” the athlete told TVS. — DayakDaily