{
  "id": 1733784,
  "title": "Penang retain Sukma sepak takraw team crown",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/penang-retain-sukma-sepak-takraw-team-crown",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-18T14:48:23.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/sports/others/2026/08/1514064/penang-retain-sukma-sepak-takraw-team-crown"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In a closely contested final, Penang's sepak takraw team successfully defended their championship title, defeating Johor 2-1 in the championship match held at Arena MBSJ in Puchong on Tuesday. Johor, who began the competition with a strong performance, initially took the lead in the first regu, winning 17-14 and 15-11 against Penang's Danial Iman Hasbullah, Nabil Afiq and Nazirul Haziq Zahid. However, Penang's experience shone through in the second regu, where they outplayed Johor's Muhammad Nurizuan, Hazieq Saad and Luqman Haqim, securing a 15-10 and 15-5 win. This victory sent the match into a deciding third regu. Johor took an early lead in this set, with Hazreez Haikal, Muhammad Qayum and Nurdanish Irfan winning 15-9 against Penang's Hazieq Damian, Elffie Danish and Hamzi Hazry. Yet, Penang's resilience prevailed in the final set, as they dominated the match, winning 15-6 to claim the gold for the islanders.",
  "summary": "KUALA LUMPUR: Sepak takraw powerhouses Penang retained the team regu gold after defeating Johor 2-1 in the final at Arena MBSJ in Puchong on Tuesday.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}