From Muhammad Afiff Md Adnan
NAGOYA, Sept 30 (Bernama) -- Muhammad Zulkifli Abd Razak's final appearance at the Asian Games proved to be a fitting finale for the national sepak takraw skipper, as he helped Malaysia end a 36-year wait for gold in the men's team regu event at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games.
Better known as Sobey, Zulkifli was moved to tears after Malaysia defeated Thailand 2-0 in the final at Paloma Mizuho Arena, admitting that his emotions overcame him when he realised he would no longer compete on the Asian Games stage.
"I'm grateful that we managed to break a 36-year record. I feel this will be my last Asian Games," he said when met yesterday.
He said the feeling set in when he realised his journey at the Games had reached its end, making the victory in Aichi-Nagoya all the more meaningful.
"I cried because there will be nothing after this. There won't be any more Asian Games for me in the future," he said.
For Zulkifli, the victory was not merely a team achievement but also the closing chapter of his personal journey on Asia's biggest sporting stage.
"I feel that everything I played today was through the will of Allah SWT, because He alone moved me," he said.
Zulkifli said all the energy he poured into the match was a blessing from God, especially in helping Malaysia end its long gold drought in the regu event.
The achievement was an emotional ending for Zulkifli, who has long carried the nation's challenge on the international stage.
Malaysia's last gold in the men's team regu event came at the 1990 edition in Beijing, when the national squad defeated Thailand.
Yesterday, Malaysia came close to completing a double gold in the inter-regu event, a feat they had also achieved that same year, but had to settle for a 0-2 defeat to their arch-rivals in the final.
-- BERNAMA