In a stunning debut on the international stage, Mazen Alzahrani, a trailblazing athlete from the host nation, stormed into the spotlight at the Islamic Solidarity Games 2025 in Riyadh—pulling off a bronze medal miracle in Pencak Silat’s Senior Male Class D!
This wasn’t just a podium finish—it was a statement. Despite being a total newcomer to the sport, Mazen crushed the competition with grit and fire: Quarterfinals: Defeated Yemen with precision and power. Semifinals: Pushed the powerhouse Algeria to the edge… before falling narrowly in an electrifying showdown
The final roar came on 9 November 2025 inside the high-energy Malaz Combat Hall at Prince Faisal Bin Fahd Stadium—under the watchful eyes of a nation witnessing its first-ever medal in Pencak Silat on a major international stage.
What makes this even more incredible? 🔹 The Saudi Pencak Silat Federation is still awaiting official establishment 🔹 The sport only started getting serious support in KSA after ISSA’s 2025 inclusion 🔹 And yet, in just months, a new athlete trained by world-class expertise achieved international glory
The mastermind behind this breakthrough? Abdul Malik (inzet), the legendary 2018 Asian Games gold medalist, dispatched from Indonesia’s Ministry of Youth and Sport and the International Pencak Silat Federation (IPSF-PERSILAT). He lived in the Indonesian Embassy, sharpening minds and bodies—turning raw talent into world-class warrior skills.
This bronze is more than a medal. It’s a spark. Now, the eyes of the Asian sporting world are on Mazen Alzahrani—whose name could soon echo across Nagoya’s stadiums at the 2026 Asian Games.
The future of Pencak Silat in Saudi Arabia isn’t just bright—it’s already blazing. (tssf)