Heat takes toll on athletes at SUKMA 2026

The heat took a significant toll on several athletes competing at the SUKMA 2026 athletics competition held at Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) Stadium. Over six athletes were treated for dehydration and heat-related symptoms during the men’s and women’s 3,000m steeplechase events around 4pm, when temperatures were reported to exceed 33°C. Witnessing the medical teams attending to the affected athletes, concerns arose among team officials and spectators regarding the scheduling of endurance events in the afternoon heat.

A Selangor runner, Siti Nur Fatihah Mohamad Adham, collapsed with about 30 meters left in her race after failing to clear the final hurdle due to the intense conditions. This incident sparked debate over the decision to hold such events during peak afternoon temperatures, with several contingent representatives revealing that they had already raised concerns about the race timing before the competition began. Despite their requests, the organizers decided to proceed with the schedule unchanged.

"We had already raised our concerns about the race timing, but the organizers decided to stick with it," said a representative. "It is unfortunate because these athletes have trained so hard, and this could have been avoided if our concerns had been taken into consideration."

The medical teams at the stadium responded swiftly, with ambulances on standby to transport athletes to Hospital Sultan Idris Shah in Serdang for further treatment if necessary. These events are likely to reignite discussions about the scheduling of endurance competitions, especially in hot afternoon conditions, as they highlight the need for organizers to consider the athletes' safety and well-being.