Kadir Syed Abdul
Encyclopedia
Kadir Syed Abdul, born 16 February 1948, was the first Singapore
an to win a medal for boxing
in the Commonwealth Games
, where he was awarded the bronze medal. He has also been a representative for Singapore in various regional meets.
In 1968, with a new coach, Kadir won the Singapore Open title which he defended successfully till 1976, when he retired from boxing. In 1969, he won the National Championship and went on to represent Singapore in the South East Asian Peninsular Games (SEAP Games) in Bangkok
, which he won a bronze medal. In 1970, Kadir represented Singapore in the Asian Games in Bangkok, in which he lost in the first round. In the 1971 SEAP Games, he won the boxing gold medal after defeating defending SEAP champion Vanla Dawla. For this, the Singapore National Olympic Council
(SNOC) awarded him a merit award.
In 1972, Kadir represented Singapore at the 1972 Olympics Games
in Munich
but failed to obtain any medal due to an injury, a cut sustained on the eyebrow. In 1973, he won the silver medal at the SEAP Games.
In 1974, Kadir won a bronze medal at the British Commonwealth Games
in New Zealand
, Singapore's third medal at the Games but the first outside weightlifting. He was subsequently named the Sportsman of the Year by the SNOC, in recognition for his contribution to boxing and sports in Singapore. He also attended the Asian Games
in Tehran
but was lost again in the first round. In 1975, Kadir earned another silver at the SEAP Games in Bangkok.
In late 1976, Kadir announced his retirement after the President's Cup in Jakarta
. He retired with a record of 11 losses in over 100 fights and reigned as Singapore champion for eight years.
In 1985, the national team won several international medals, including its first Southeast Asian Games
gold in 12 years. He was named Coach of the Year by the SNOC for that year, making him the second person after bowler Henry Tan to receive both the Sportsman and Coach of the Year honours.
In 2009, Kadir was elected as the president of the Singapore Amateur Boxing Association (SABA), having served in various capacities at the association over the past three decades - as national coach, honorary secretary and vice-president.
.
Kadir married Zalia Jaffar, a receptionist for the Singapore Sports Council
, in 1974. They have a son, Syed Muhammed Fahmy, who also became Singaporean boxing champion and a daughter Hanni.
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
an to win a medal for boxing
Boxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
in the Commonwealth Games
Commonwealth Games
The Commonwealth Games is an international, multi-sport event involving athletes from the Commonwealth of Nations. The event was first held in 1930 and takes place every four years....
, where he was awarded the bronze medal. He has also been a representative for Singapore in various regional meets.
Boxing career
Kadir started boxing at the age of 11 and participated in school boxing championships in the light featherweight class. At 18, he trained under a coach who was an ex-professional boxer. He started competitive boxing in the light flyweight division and started to win matches.In 1968, with a new coach, Kadir won the Singapore Open title which he defended successfully till 1976, when he retired from boxing. In 1969, he won the National Championship and went on to represent Singapore in the South East Asian Peninsular Games (SEAP Games) in Bangkok
Bangkok
Bangkok is the capital and largest urban area city in Thailand. It is known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon or simply Krung Thep , meaning "city of angels." The full name of Bangkok is Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom...
, which he won a bronze medal. In 1970, Kadir represented Singapore in the Asian Games in Bangkok, in which he lost in the first round. In the 1971 SEAP Games, he won the boxing gold medal after defeating defending SEAP champion Vanla Dawla. For this, the Singapore National Olympic Council
Singapore National Olympic Council
The Singapore National Olympic Council, or commonly SNOC, is a registered society, recognised by the International Olympic Committee...
(SNOC) awarded him a merit award.
In 1972, Kadir represented Singapore at the 1972 Olympics Games
1972 Summer Olympics
The 1972 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XX Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event held in Munich, West Germany, from August 26 to September 11, 1972....
in Munich
Munich
Munich The city's motto is "" . Before 2006, it was "Weltstadt mit Herz" . Its native name, , is derived from the Old High German Munichen, meaning "by the monks' place". The city's name derives from the monks of the Benedictine order who founded the city; hence the monk depicted on the city's coat...
but failed to obtain any medal due to an injury, a cut sustained on the eyebrow. In 1973, he won the silver medal at the SEAP Games.
In 1974, Kadir won a bronze medal at the British Commonwealth Games
1974 British Commonwealth Games
The 1974 British Commonwealth Games were held in Christchurch, New Zealand from 24 January to 2 February 1974. The bid vote was held in Edinburgh at the 1970 British Commonwealth Games....
in New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
, Singapore's third medal at the Games but the first outside weightlifting. He was subsequently named the Sportsman of the Year by the SNOC, in recognition for his contribution to boxing and sports in Singapore. He also attended the Asian Games
1974 Asian Games
The 7th Asian Games were held from September 1, 1974 to September 16, 1974 in Tehran, Iran. The Aryamehr sports complex was made for the Games. The Asian Games were hosted in the Middle East for the first time...
in Tehran
Tehran
Tehran , sometimes spelled Teheran, is the capital of Iran and Tehran Province. With an estimated population of 8,429,807; it is also Iran's largest urban area and city, one of the largest cities in Western Asia, and is the world's 19th largest city.In the 20th century, Tehran was subject to...
but was lost again in the first round. In 1975, Kadir earned another silver at the SEAP Games in Bangkok.
In late 1976, Kadir announced his retirement after the President's Cup in Jakarta
Jakarta
Jakarta is the capital and largest city of Indonesia. Officially known as the Special Capital Territory of Jakarta, it is located on the northwest coast of Java, has an area of , and a population of 9,580,000. Jakarta is the country's economic, cultural and political centre...
. He retired with a record of 11 losses in over 100 fights and reigned as Singapore champion for eight years.
Coaching career
After retiring from competition, Kadir began coaching the national boxing team and served on Singapore Amateur Boxing Association (SABA) management committee.In 1985, the national team won several international medals, including its first Southeast Asian Games
1985 Southeast Asian Games
The 13th Southeast Asian Games were held in Bangkok, Thailand from 8 December - 17 December 1985.- Medal count :- Mascot :The official 1985 SEA Games mascot was a Siamese cat.The Siamese is one of the first distinctly recognised breeds of Oriental cat...
gold in 12 years. He was named Coach of the Year by the SNOC for that year, making him the second person after bowler Henry Tan to receive both the Sportsman and Coach of the Year honours.
In 2009, Kadir was elected as the president of the Singapore Amateur Boxing Association (SABA), having served in various capacities at the association over the past three decades - as national coach, honorary secretary and vice-president.
Personal life
Kadir studied in St Andrew's Primary School and Bartley Secondary SchoolBartley Secondary School
Bartley Secondary School is a co-educational neighbourhood secondary school in Singapore. The principal is Mrs Mary Bay.-History:The school was founded on 18 February 1952 with Mr Chua Leong Hean as the first principal who also designed the School Crest....
.
Kadir married Zalia Jaffar, a receptionist for the Singapore Sports Council
Singapore Sports Council
The Singapore Sports Council is a statutory board under the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports of the Singapore Government...
, in 1974. They have a son, Syed Muhammed Fahmy, who also became Singaporean boxing champion and a daughter Hanni.