World Champion Farhan Wins Prestigious Youth Award

2019 Singapore Youth Award

As a young pencak silat exponent, Sheik Farhan Sheik Alau’ddin has always one of the top in his age-group. He had the talent and strong fundamental skills to edge out his peers. But unparalleled discipline at training and in his personal life has propelled him into a three-time world champion. His inspirational achievements in sport and contributions to his community earned him the 2019 Singapore Youth Award on 3 November 2019 alongside six other recipients.

In 2015, Sheik Farhan Sheik Alau’ddin became a world champion. He defeated Mach Quoc Hung 3-2 in the Men’s Match Class “J” (90-95kg) Final of the World Pencak Silat Championship in Phuket, Thailand, to clinch his first title at the Championship.

Farhan went on to retain his title in 2016, equalling his father’s achievement of winning the world championship twice, before winning his third consecutive title in 2018 to become Singapore’s only three-time world champion.

The 22-year-old’s journey towards sport excellence has not been an easy one, especially with the pressure of having two-time world champion Sheik Alau’ddin Yacoob Marican as his father. Farhan, a Singapore Sports School’s alumnus who hails from a pencak silat family, admits that the stress of living up to others’ expectations of him has often robbed him of the joy of the sport. Four of his siblings are past, present and prospective Sports School student-athletes: Nur Shafiqa, Sheik Ferdous (past), Sheik Fayz (present) and Nur Shaqira (prospective).

Defeats, lack of results and injuries are but a few factors which all athletes face; including Farhan. IT was hard work and grit that helped him overcome his most trying periods, such as the time he sustained an injury to his medial collateral ligament (MCL) a week before the 2016 World Pencak Silat Championship in Bali.

With the experience from attaining three world titles under his belt, Farhan now imparts his knowledge to younger exponents by helping to train and motivate them.

Farhan and swimming alumna Amanda Lim Xiang Qi were among 15 finalists for the prestigious Singapore Youth Award this year. Notable Singaporean youths were nominated across three categories – Trailblazers, Changemakers and Champions; both alumni were finalists in the Trailblazer category. The Award was established in 1975 to honour outstanding youths who have excelled in their respective fields and are passionate about positively impacting their community.