Bangkok: About 40 per cent of the new athletes representing Malaysia at the 2025 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Thailand have contributed to the nation's impressive medal tally. National Sports Council (NSC) director-general Jefri Ngadirin announced that 255 out of 646 debutant athletes delivered medals, showcasing a promising future for the Malaysian sports contingent.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the 33rd edition of the biennial sporting event witnessed 43 per cent of athletes aged below 21, a total of 178 out of 412 young competitors, returning with medals. This positive outcome sets a hopeful tone for Malaysia as the future host in 2027 and for continued participation in subsequent SEA Games. Jefri highlighted the significant achievement in gold medals, with 28 sports contributing, marking the highest gold medal record for Malaysia in the history of the SEA Games.
The recent performance surpasses previous records, with 15 sports yielding 34 golds at the 2023 SEA Games in Cambodia and 18 sports contributing 68 golds at the 2007 SEA Games in Thailand, which was the highest gold medal haul achieved outside Malaysia until now.
Jefri further revealed that 62 per cent of the athletes under Category A funded by the NSC secured medals, while only 28 per cent of Category B athletes, funded by their respective associations, managed podium finishes. In response, the NSC plans to refine the selection criteria for Category B athletes to ensure they contribute more significantly in future events.
National swimmer Khiew Hoe Yean and wushu exponent Tan Cheong Min were recognized as Malaysia's best male and female athletes, respectively. Hoe Yean claimed two golds in the men's 200m and 400m freestyle events, a silver in the men's 4x200m freestyle, and a bronze in the men's 4x100m freestyle. Cheong Min earned gold in the combined nanquan, nandao, and nangun event and contributed to the women's armed duilian team event victory.
Jefri also acknowledged the exceptional performances in sepak takraw, judo, athletics, shooting, and muay. The sepak takraw team ended a 34-year drought by defeating Thailand in the men's team regu event, while Amir Daniel Abdul Majeed's victory ended a 44-year wait for a judo gold medal. Muhammad Irfan Shamsuddin's seven consecutive golds in discus, national shooters setting three new Games records, and the muay team's three gold medals further emphasized Malaysia's sporting prowess.
Chef de Mission Nurul Huda Abdullah was congratulated for her effective leadership in managing the contingent, which set a new record of 231 medals, the highest achievement outside Kuala Lumpur, by 3.30 pm local time.