Stories Behind The Catch

The catch took place on 9 November 2024 at Sungai Siong, Sibu, where Khirfirdaus successfully landed a tapah weighing 8.16 kg.

While the weight of the fish may not appear extraordinary when compared with some of the larger tapah caught in Malaysian waters, the significance of this particular catch came from the absence of an existing recorded entry for the species in the IGFA data at the time.

According to Khirfirdaus, tapah weighing significantly more had already been caught by other anglers. However, the available IGFA data did not contain a recorded entry for the species up to 2024.

That opened an opportunity for the catch to become part of IGFA history. The 8.16 kg tapah from Sungai Siong would go on to receive recognition from the International Game Fish Association.

For Khirfirdaus, the achievement was not simply about the weight displayed on a scale. It represented an opportunity to place his name, Malaysia and Rentaka on the international sport fishing stage.

The recognition gave greater meaning to a catch that might otherwise have been viewed simply as another successful day on the water.

Khirfirdaus described the achievement as a team effort involving the Rentaka fishing team. The recognition was therefore not something he viewed as an individual accomplishment alone.

The support and encouragement from his fellow anglers played an important part in the journey. Khir also expressed his appreciation to those who supported him and encouraged him to ignore negative comments along the way.

On a personal level, Khirfirdaus regarded the achievement as the highest point of his fishing journey at that time — seeing his name recognised on the world stage.

The achievement became a reminder that an apparently ordinary catch can carry extraordinary significance when it fills a gap in the official record.

For Khirfirdaus, the record was never meant to be the final destination. His own words made that clear: there were still more missions ahead.

The achievement at Sungai Siong became another chapter in a continuing pursuit of bigger challenges, stronger achievements and new milestones in sport fishing.

The recognition also carried significance beyond the angler himself. Khirfirdaus highlighted the opportunity to make Malaysia and Rentaka proud on the international stage.

From a single catch in the waters of Sibu, the achievement became a story of Malaysian sport fishing reaching an international audience.