Born and raised in Maludam, a small and remote village in Sarawak, Haikal Raffi’s journey began far from bright lights and championship rings. Even travelling to Kuching required a boat ride, a reminder of how isolated his hometown was. Life was never easy. His father is retired and struggles with age-related illnesses, while his stepmother works as a plantation labourer to support the family. Financial hardship forced Haikal to leave school after Standard 4, sacrificing his education to help put food on the table.

At just 13 years old, he started working as a construction labourer, a job he held for four years. He later moved to Serian, where he spent another year as a manual labourer inspecting underground cables in forests and along remote roads. Like many young people from underserved communities, Haikal believed that hard labour was simply the life he was destined to live.

Everything changed in 2024 when he was selected for the Discover Muaythai (DMT) Academy Sarawak – Batch 1. Haikal entered the academy with no Muaythai experience and no athletic background. He wasn’t the most skilled, nor the most talented. What he brought instead was resilience, discipline, and an unwavering determination to change his future.

Through DMT Academy’s holistic programme combining Muaythai, education, life skills and character development Haikal flourished. His commitment and work ethic earned him the title of Best Student of the inaugural Sarawak batch, proving that potential is not determined by where someone comes from, but by the opportunities they are given and the effort they are willing to invest. Since joining the academy, Haikal has competed in 14 Muaythai bouts, steadily developing into one of Sarawak’s promising athletes. The defining moment of his career came when he stepped into the ring at the legendary Rajadamnern Stadium in Bangkok, the world’s first and most iconic Muaythai stadium. For countless fighters around the world, competing at Rajadamnern is a lifelong dream. For a young man who once left school to become a labourer, it was a moment that seemed unimaginable. In August this year, Haikal will once again return to Rajadamnern Stadium, earning another opportunity to compete on one of the sport’s most prestigious stages. It is a testament to how far he has come, not as a one-time success story, but as a fighter who continues to prove he belongs among the world’s elite.

Today, Haikal has come full circle. He is now a professional Muaythai athlete and coach at Rentap Muaythai, one of Kuching’s premier Muaythai gyms and the home of some of Malaysia’s top athletes, including international star Johan Ghazali. Beyond competition, Haikal has also served as a warden for two consecutive batches at DMT Academy Sarawak, mentoring and guiding young participants who come from backgrounds remarkably similar to his own. The same young man who once needed someone to believe in him has now become the person who inspires others to believe in themselves.

Haikal’s story is about far more than sport. It is the story of a boy who left school because poverty left him with no other choice. A young man who was given a second chance and chose not to waste it. Today, he has represented his community on one of the biggest stages in Muaythai while dedicating his life to helping the next generation rise. From a small village in Maludam to the global stage. From construction sites and roadside labour to becoming an athlete, coach, mentor, and role model. Haikal Raffi’s journey is living proof that where you start does not define where you can go. With opportunity, discipline, and perseverance, even the most impossible dreams can become reality.

KinderKaizen

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