KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 28 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Karate Federation (MAKAF) have attributed their exponents’ haul of two gold and three bronze medals from the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games to the structured planning, thorough preparations and continuous support from the Youth and Sports Ministry (KBS), National Sports Council (NSC) and National Sports Institute (NSI).
MAKAF president Datuk Nur Azmi Ahmad said through the NSC’s Podium Programme, their exponents received more comprehensive support and preparations, while NSI played an important role in sports science, nutrition, performance and athlete recovery.
“For MAKAF, this success is the result of an ecosystem that moves in tandem. The support from KBS, preparations by NSC, expertise from NSI, MAKAF’s planning, as well as the hard work of the exponents and coaches ultimately translated into success on the mat.
“We also want to express our appreciation to Youth and Sports Minister Dr Mohammed Taufiq Johari for his continuous suppport and concern for the development of sports andthe welfare of the country’s athletes,” he said in a statement tonight.
Nur Azmi hopes the success achieved at Asiad 2026 would serve as a catalyst for more proud achievements by Malaysian karate exponets on the international stage.
Adeola Fay Robert delivered karate first gold medal, which also happened to be the country’s first at Asiad 2026, when she defeated Iran’s Fatemehzahra Saeidabadi 6-4 in the women’s below 55-kilogramme (kg) kumite final.
C.Shahmalarani then bagged the second karate gold medal in the women’s below 50kg kumite event after defeating Hong Kong’s Tsang Yee Ting via a judges’ decision following a 0-0 draw.
The three bronze medals were delivered by Mukhriz Mazlan, Mohamad Haznil Henry and Muhammad Aiqal (men’s team kata); Thevendran Kaliana Sundram (men’s below 55kg kumite); and H. Sureeya Sankar (men’s below 60kg kumite).
The 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, which began on Sept 19, will conclude on Sunday (Oct 4).
-- BERNAMA