BANGKOK, Dec 12 (Bernama) — Malaysia’s karate queen, C.Shahmalarani, successfully defended her gold medal in the women’s kumite under 50 kilograms (kg) event, securing a personal hat-trick at the 2025 SEA Games.
The achievement was even more special as it came on her birthday, with the 26-year-old defeating Myanmar’s Florence Nay Chi Htun 4-0 in the final at the Chaeng Watthana Government Complex, here.
Shahmalarani had previously won gold at the 2021 SEA Games in Vietnam and the 2023 edition in Cambodia.
“This is incredibly special for me. It’s a birthday gift, and I also want to contribute this gold for Malaysia. We’ve only just begun, and have been focusing on increasing our medal tally. Being one of the gold medal contributors is a proud moment for me and for Malaysia,” she told reporters after the match.
Meanwhile, another gold for Malaysia came from young exponent K. Thevendran, who triumphed in his SEA Games debut, winning the men’s kumite under 55kg event.
Thevendran defeated Vietnam’s Chu Van Duc 4-0 to secure his gold.
— BERNAMA