Pahang: Pahang shooter Cheah Zen Hong and Selangor swimmer Eliza Tan Ai Shen were respectively named Sportsman and Sportswoman of the 2026 Selangor Malaysia Games (SUKMA).
According to BERNAMA News Agency, as the Best Athletes of SUKMA Selangor 2026, Zen Hong and Eliza each received RM5,000 in prize money, a commemorative trophy, and a challenge trophy. The awards were presented by Selangor Regent Tengku Amir Shah Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah at the closing ceremony held at Aneka Walk, SA Sentral.
Zen Hong, 20, achieved this honor after winning nine gold and one silver medals, surpassing his personal record of seven gold medals at Sarawak SUKMA 2024. His victories came in events including the 10m air pistol, 10m air pistol team, 10m air pistol mixed team, 25m rapid fire pistol, 25m sport pistol, 25m sport pistol team, 25m standard pistol team, 50m pistol, and 50m pistol team events. His performance surpassed other standout athletes, such as Federal Territories swimmer Muhammad Dhuha Zulfikry, who won five gold medals, and another Pahang shooter and Selangor swimmer, each with four gold medals.
Meanwhile, Eliza excelled by winning gold in all seven events she competed in, while twice breaking the national record in the women's 100m freestyle with a new mark of 56.78 seconds. At 19, she became the first Malaysian female swimmer to record a time below 57 seconds in the event. She also secured gold in the women's 200m freestyle with a time of two minutes 5.26 seconds. Eliza further broke championship records in the 50m individual event, 4x100m freestyle relay, 4x200m freestyle relay, and 4x100m medley relay.
Her achievements contributed significantly to the Selangor squad's performance, winning 20 gold, seven silver, and 11 bronze medals to finish top at the Selangor Aquatic Centre. Eliza's gold medal haul allowed her to edge out fellow Selangor swimmer Shannon Tan, who won eight gold medals, and Selangor tenpin bowler Adania Mohd Redzwan, who also collected eight gold medals.
Selangor emerged as overall champions after amassing 101 gold, 72 silver, and 71 bronze medals.