Malaysia break into Asian Games top 10

Kota Kinabalu, Sept 23: Adeola Fay Robert, a talented karate athlete from Tambunan in Sabah, clinched a gold medal at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, showcasing that athletes from the state can excel globally, according to Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) Women movement chief Datuk Seri Panglima Azizah Mohd Dun. The 20-year-old's victory is a point of pride for Sabah and Malaysia, inspiring young athletes, especially women.

Azizah highlighted that Adeola's success proves that with proper opportunities, support, training, and development, young athletes can compete against the best in Asia and the world. Adeola defeated Iran's Fatemehzahra Saeidabadi, Kazakhstan's Bella Samasheva, Kuwait's Asrar Jasem, Uzbekistan's Sevinch Rakhimova, and Iran's Saeidabadi in the Asian Games final, securing Malaysia's first gold in the women's kumite under-55kg category.

Her journey began with Sabah's Sukma Games success, where she won gold in the under-61kg event and helped the state's women's team capture the team title. Azizah urged for more efforts to identify and nurture young sporting talent from Sabah's districts and rural areas, emphasizing the need for adequate facilities and competitive exposure to bring Sabah and Malaysia's names to the world stage.

Adeola also won a bronze medal at the 2025 Thailand SEA Games, marking Malaysia's first Asian Games gold in women's karate since Syakilla Salni's victory in 2014.