Singapore’s sailors conclude Asian Games campaign with three silvers, one bronze

KUALA LUMPUR: Christian Didier Chin and Aidan Yunus, Malaysia's unassuming padel duo, etched a historic silver medal achievement for Malaysian sports at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games on Saturday. Competing in padel's inaugural appearance at the continental games, the unheralded pair suffered a 6-3, 6-1 defeat to Qatari top seeds Mashari Naif and Rashed Naif in a 55-minute final at Nagoya City Higashi Sports Centre.

Despite taking an early 3-1 lead in the opening set, Christian acknowledged securing silver as a significant milestone, as their initial target was merely reaching the semi-finals. Aidan added that the high-profile exposure on the grand stage would prove invaluable motivation for Malaysia's upcoming 2027 SEA Games. Meanwhile, Malaysia's men's hockey team failed to advance to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, ending as bridesmaids for the third time with a 5-1 loss to India in the final.

The Tigers had previously secured silver after a 2-0 loss to Pakistan in 2010 and a 5-2 lead squandered to Japan in penalties in 2018. India took the lead early through a fourth-minute penalty corner by Harmanpreet Singh, but Shello Silverius equalized 10 minutes later. India extended their lead through Jugraj Singh's penalty corner in the 23rd minute, followed by Hardik Singh's conversion of a penalty stroke in the 42nd minute.

A fourth goal from Shilanand Lakra in the 54th minute solidified India's advantage before Harmanpreet added his second penalty corner with three minutes remaining. The national rugby sevens squad secured a respectable fifth-place finish in the men's event, matching Malaysia's best-ever Asian Games performance, which was achieved in Indonesia in 2018.

Head coach Nik Safuan Ismade Nik Man's team opened the classification round with a convincing 33-5 victory over the United Arab Emirates at Nagoya City Mizuho Park, followed by a 34-7 win over the Philippines.