Pro muaythai fighter Kabilan Jelevan to mentor Sarawak Silambam Elite Squad ahead of Sukma XXII

KUCHING (Jan 15): Professional muaythai fighter Kabilan Jelevan Thiagarajan has agreed, in his personal capacity, to assist the Sarawak Silambam Elite Squad in their preparations for the Malaysia Games (Sukma) XXII in Selangor this August.

Sarawak Silambam Association (SSA) secretary Sivanesan Lingam said the initiative aims to strengthen both the mental and physical readiness of state athletes ahead of the biennial games.

“We are grateful that Kabilan has agreed to share his experience with our elite squad. His background in both silambam and professional muaythai gives him a unique perspective that is highly relevant to the challenges our athletes will face at Sukma,” he told The Borneo Post.

A well-known figure in Sarawak’s combat sports scene, Kabilan began his martial arts journey in silambam in 2012 and represented Sarawak at the 2013 Sukma before transitioning into professional muaythai.

Sivanesan noted that this dual exposure makes his guidance especially valuable for athletes competing in a high-pressure, weapon-based discipline.

“Silambam is not just about physical skill. The presence of a weapon changes the psychology of a fight entirely. One small mistake can decide the outcome, so mental control and decision-making are critical,” said Sivanesan who is also Sarawak silamban team manager.

Weapon-based combat sports place heavy cognitive demands on athletes, he said.

Even with protective gear, the brain perceives a weapon differently from an unarmed strike, creating heightened anxiety and requiring competitors to override natural defensive instincts, he pointed out.

“Athletes must also adapt rapidly, changing or stopping movements mid-action in response to an opponent.”

Sivanesan added that competitions often last nine to 11 hours, with long waiting periods between bouts, which adds to mental fatigue.

“Our athletes must learn how to stay calm and focused throughout the day, even when they are not competing. This is where Kabilan’s experience as a professional fighter is invaluable,” he said.

Kabilan’s exposure to full-contact muaythai, which demands composure under extreme pressure, is expected to help Sarawak’s silambam exponents gain confidence and fight with greater conviction.

“We believe his sharing sessions will help our athletes approach their matches with a clearer mindset and better emotional control. This is an important part of our preparation for Sukma XXII,” Sivanesan added.