From Muhammad Afiff Md Adnan
NAGOYA, Sept 30 (Bernama) -- Malaysia continued to build momentum at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games when national track cyclist Nurul Izzah Izzati Mohd Asri's feat of winning the bronze medal in the women's keirin was among the contingent's highlights on the 12th day of the Games, today.
The Sungai Petani, Kedah-born rider became only the second Malaysian female rider after Fatehah Mustapa had won a medal in the women's keirin event at the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon, thereby increasing the country's medal tally to six gold, five silver, and 12 bronze so far.
At the Izu Velodrome, Datuk Mohd Azizulhasni Awang also drew attention to the men's sprint event as the former world champion advanced to the quarterfinals which takes place tomorrow, while Muhammad Shah Firdaus Sahrom was eliminated in the repechage round.
Malaysia also added two bronze medals through e-sports after the Identity V and Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) teams were both eliminated in the semifinals.
However, attention was also directed towards the men's and women's squash squads, who continued their progress after recording 2-0 victories in their quarterfinal matches.
The men's squad defeated Japan to book a meeting with India in the semifinals, while the women's team overcame Macau and will face hosts Japan in the battle for a ticket to the final.
In other developments, the national diving campaign concluded without an individual medal for the first time since Malaysia's participation in the 2002 Busan Asian Games.
Tomorrow, "The Pocket Rocketman" will continue his challenge in the men's sprint quarterfinals, while Izzah Izzati and Nur Alyssa Mohd Farid will take to the track in the women's individual sprint.
Additionally, national compound archer Fatin Nurfatehah Mat Salleh will face South Korean representative Park Jung-yoon in the quarterfinals, while the national men's hockey squad will play South Korea in the semifinal match.
With several events having the potential to produce medals, Malaysia has the opportunity to continue its momentum and add to its current collection of six gold medals.
An additional three gold medals are needed in the effort to set a new national record since the old record of nine gold medals was achieved during the 2010 edition in Guangzhou, China.
-- BERNAMA