Shahmalarani wins first SEA Games gold for Malaysia

Malaysia’s C. Shahmalarani, the reigning champion, showed her determination and won Malaysia’s first gold medal in the women’s kumite under 50 kg at the 2023 Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Shahmalarani’s victory was a sweet redemption after her loss to Junna Tsukii in the final bout at the Southeast Asian Karate Federation Championships (SEAKF) in March.

Shahmalarani and her winning strategy

In an interview with Bernama, Shahmalarani shared her winning strategy, stating that her coach Tamel Abdelraof encouraged her to enter some loops in the match, which helped calm her nerves. After she drew level 1-1 with her Filipino opponent, Shahmalarani became more confident and was able to control the match.

Shahmalarani’s win was well-deserved as she was more aggressive than her Filipino-Japanese opponent throughout the bout held in Chroy Changvar Convention Centre. Her victory proved that keeping cool with determination to win was the right formula for success.

Prem Kumar wins Malaysia’s second gold medal

Shortly after Shahmalarani’s win, S. Prem Kumar won Malaysia’s second gold medal in the men’s kumite under 55 kg. Although he was thrilled with his achievement, Prem Kumar said his mission was far from over as he wanted to focus on the team event at the SEA Games and the 2022 Asian Games, to be held in Hangzhou, China, in September.

Prem Kumar scored two critical points when he kept attacking his opponent a few seconds before the bout ended after trailing 1-3. His hard work finally paid off as he was awarded the gold medal, despite sharing the final result 3-3 with Thailand’s Chanphet Setthaphong. Prem Kumar’s win was a testament to his perseverance and dedication.

SEA Games: A platform for young athletes to shine

The SEA Games is a great platform for young athletes to showcase their talent, gain experience and develop their skills. With more than 5,000 athletes from 11 Southeast Asian countries competing in 56 sports, the 2023 SEA Games is one of the biggest sporting events in the region.

Apart from winning medals, the SEA Games also promote friendship, unity and understanding among the participating nations. The SEA Games also provide an opportunity for the host country to showcase its culture, heritage and hospitality.

The SEA Games also serve as a platform for the region’s best athletes to showcase their skills and compete at the highest level.