Atlet Jiu-jitsu, Cassandra J. Poyong mengharumkan nama negara apabila menjadi wanita Malaysia yang pertama meraih pingat emas di Kejohanan Dunia Masters Jiu-Jitsu Abu Dhabi 2019.

Anak kelahiran Sabah berusia 30 tahun itu mengalahkan dua peserta lain, Marianna Jurkiewicz dari Poland dan Jelsilene Monteiro dari Brazil dalam kategori wanita bawah 55kg.

Cassandra yang berlatih di Monarchy MMA gim di Kuala Lumpur menyifatkan kemenangannya itu sebagai usaha berpasukan.

"Ini adalah satu usaha pasukan, tidak syak lagi. Dari latihan yang gigih kepada proses penurunan berat badan, saya tahu ramai yang memberi sokongan kepada saya," katanya menerusi catatan di akaun Instagramnya baru-baru ini.

Sepanjang penglibatannya dalam sukan tersebut, Cassandra yang berasal dari Kota Kinabalu, juga telah memenangi dua emas dalam kejohanan IBJJF Manila Terbuka tahun ini, dan beberapa lagi pingat emas dalam kejohanan jiu-jitsu Copa da Malasia di Malaysia.

This World title came long time ago. It came last year when I was telling her pretty much everyday that she had to go to Abu Dhabi for this competition. At first she said: how can I do that? Then eventually she started to reply: YES Professor. She didn’t have sponsorship and we didn’t know how that would happened. I just kept working on her mind until she believe on it. If you really want something you will find a way to do it. Many good and bad things happened to her on the way. But the focus was only one. To become a World Champion. Back in 2003 when I wanted to give up on Jiu-Jitsu because I thought I couldn’t become a World Champion, my professor told me that maybe wasn’t my destiny to become a world champion but to help someone to become a world champion. You’re right as always Mestre Buda @adalbertojiujitsu . There she is. Our World Champion !! Abu Dhabi World Masters Champion. Thanks @monarchymma Team for the amazing team work. #bjjmalaysia #grapplermag #bjjasia #bjjasiagirls #monarchymma #jiujitsu #worldchampion #uaejjf

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Berlangsung dari 20 hingga 26 April, Kejohanan Dunia Masters Jiu-Jitsu Abu Dhabi 2019 menarik ribuan atlet dari seluruh dunia, yang bersaing untuk gelaran juara.

Kejohanan peringkat dunia ini merupakan antara acara terbesar dan penting dalam kalendar jiu-jitsu global.

Edisi tahun ini telah menarik lebih banyak atlet dari seluruh dunia berbanding sebelum ini.

So much to say but somehow I remain speechless. This event definitely made a good big dent in my life. GOLD IN ABU DHABI WORLD MASTERS JIU JITSU CHAMPIONSHIP 2019 They said I am the 1st Malaysian Woman to have brought this title back to Malaysia (crazee awesome, haha!) • What can I say? It was a team effort, no doubt. From the gruelling training to the crazy weight cuts and insane bath salt soak(this was super crazy) somehow I knew everyone was right behind me, endlessly supporting my decisions and my every move. • • I went to Abu Dhabi alone but I wasn't. Everyone was with me every step of the way. There I was taken care of by Professor @brenovieiraandrade , his wife, @marionebravo and their kids. Such an amazing family. I wish to the world that this family will get everything you seek and be blessed with every happiness the world can give. • • Also special thanks to @zeroexcel for you tiptop cornering. Amazing! • • I plead to @ocm_mom to look this way and see my achievements and see what this MALAYSIAN WOMAN can do for Malaysia. • • Thank you to my teammates in @monarchymma for the training, to Professors @bruninhobbjj @edinhovander @luizribeirobjj @thamires_possiderio @arielson_ozama @vanbarbosajj and Master @mehdi.bk88 for your selfless guidance and love. • • To them, the people who have supported me from the beginning @peakperformancephysiolab @pfcstudio @labrasiliasuperfoods @orangonuts To my business venture @organicallymoi (do check this out to support me!) I want to compete overseas more, please let me know if you can assist. Professor @bruninhobbjj , here is your WORLD CHAMPION