This year alone, Chia has taken part in eight local and international competitions, including in Thailand, China and the UAE.
His Abu Dhabi win marks his 14th gold medal – a remarkable achievement for his first appearance in a competition that draws thousands of elite athletes from across the world.
Days after his return from Abu Dhabi, FMT Lifestyle met with Chia at Ryu Combat Academy in Sentul to learn all about his big stage moment.
“I was a little bit nervous. I went there alone, without coaches, without friends,” he said. “But I am always aiming for gold. I always tell myself that I am not going there to try, I am going there to win.”
The 31-year-old wears two hats: he’s a creative designer by day and a jiu-jitsu coach and sponsored athlete by night, training under Fat Cat Athletic Club and Progress Jiu-Jitsu.
He discovered his passion for martial arts nearly 10 years ago. “Around 2015, my friend and I watched a lot of UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) and MMA (mixed martial arts) fights, and that got me into martial arts. Before that, I actually didn’t really do sports.”
So, why martial arts? “It helps to release a lot of stress, especially from work,” he shared. “Competing has also taught me that nothing is impossible.”
Having started with MMA, Chia transitioned to jiu-jitsu in 2017, realising it was his forte. Unlike striking-based martial arts, Brazilian jiu-jitsu emphasises ground fighting and grappling techniques such as chokes and joint locks. The goal? To force your opponent into submission.
“It took me a while to get used to the sport. I started to compete just three months after training and I lost most of the competitions. Slowly, I became better and managed to go home with a bronze,” he shared.
Chia’s journey is a testament to the fact that nothing comes without hard work. To this day, he trains every night at the gym and attends jiu-jitsu classes after work.
He began his journey in small local competitions but has since made a name for himself on the international stage.
His recent triumphs include a notable victory at the AFG Open International in Thailand, where he claimed the title belt and a cash prize. This marked his debut in the brown belt category, a step up from his usual purple belt division.
Facing fierce competition at the Abu Dhabi championship, Chia recalled the decisive match that won him the gold medal.
“In the final match, I faced a guy from Colombia. In all previous matches at the championship, he managed to submit each of his opponents. So, I was a little bit nervous to go against someone so strong.”
While his opponent had a coach who provided constant guidance, Chia secured the win all on his own.
Even reaching the semi-finals was a nail-biter. Reflecting on his most challenging match, he pointed to the quarter-finals against a skilled competitor from Peru. Equipped with technical expertise, the Peruvian fighter caught Chia in a “worm guard”. Despite the tight hold, Chia managed to escape in the last seconds.
One of the biggest challenges Chia has faced is in maintaining a weight of under 69kg to qualify.
“I had to cut 2.5kg in seven to eight hours by losing water weight. I managed to hit exactly 69.0kg that day,” he said with a laugh. Phew!
With it still being a niche sport, Chia said he hoped jiu-jitsu would gain greater exposure in Malaysia, even becoming a key part of school athletics. “Jiu-jitsu is slowly growing in Malaysia, and I hope one day it will become as popular as taekwondo or karate.”
So, what’s next for this martial-arts champion?
“Next year, I will participate in the national trials. If everything goes well, I hope to help Malaysia win the first gold in the SEA Games for jiu-jitsu,” he said.
Follow Jic Chia on Instagram.