Sepak Takraw Glory Highlights Malaysia’s Bright Day At SEA Games
From Ahmad Nazrin Syahmi Mohamad Arif
BANGKOK, Dec 14 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian contingent enjoyed a splendid day at the 2025 Thailand SEA Games after recording several sweet victories across various events, including ending a 34-year drought in the men’s sepak takraw team regu title today.
The long drought finally came to an end when the national sepak takraw squad coached by Ahmad Jais Baharom defeated traditional rivals Thailand 2-1 in the final held at the Nakhon Pathom Gymnasium in Chonburi.
The historic triumph ended Malaysia’s wait since the 1991 SEA Games in Manila, while also ending Thailand’s dominance that had stood as the main barrier to the national team for more than three decades.
Malaysia’s first regu comprised Haziq Hairul Nizam, Muhammad Noraizat Mohd Nordin and Amirul Zazwan Amir, followed by the second regu of Mohammad Syahir Rosdi, Mohamad Azlan Alias and Farhan Adam, while the third regu consisted of Muhammad Zulkifli Abd Razak, Muhammad Afifuddin Mohd Razali and Aidil Aiman Azwawi.
Meanwhile, national women’s top doubles pair Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah also brought cheer after ending Malaysia’s 10-year gold medal drought by overcoming Indonesia’s Febriana Dwipuji Kusuma-Meilysa Trias Puspitasari in a thrilling 86-minute match in Pathum Thani.
In pencak silat, national exponent Nur Syafiqah Hamzah created a memorable moment after clinching the squad’s maiden gold medal at the SEA Games by winning the women’s single event.
Nur Syafiqah was crowned champion with a score of 9.960 points in the final held at the Impact Arena, Muang Thong Thani.
The national contingent’s success was also boosted by experienced shooter Johnathan Wong, who defended his gold medal in the men’s 10 metre (m) air pistol event.
In the final held at the Sports Authority of Thailand Shooting Range here, the Olympian amassed a total of 237.8 points, repeating his achievement from the 2021 edition in Vietnam.
However, Malaysia’s challenge in badminton saw the national men’s top doubles pair Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik miss out on a second gold medal after losing to Indonesia’s Sabar Karyaman Gutama-Moh Reza Pahlevi Isfahani in the final.
The 2022 world champions struggled to find their rhythm before going down 14-21, 17-21 in 44 minutes, resulting in badminton falling short of its four-gold target.
The national contingent will continue its mission to hunt for 200 medals regardless of colour, with focus tomorrow, among others, on athletics events involving men’s long jump ace Andre Anura and Wan Muhammad Fazri Wan Zahari, who clocked the fastest time in the men’s 800m heats.
In addition, wushu, pencak silat, tenpin bowling, shooting, snooker, swimming, cycling and archery are also seen as having the potential to contribute medals, which could further strengthen Malaysia’s position in the medal table with six days remaining before the biennial Games draw to a close.
Thailand remain at the top of the medal standings after collecting a total of 131 gold, 78 silver and 46 bronze medals, followed by Indonesia (39,56,51), Vietnam (34,33,64), while Malaysia are in fifth place with 20 gold, 23 silver and 69 bronze medals.
-- BERNAMA
