{
  "id": 8153270,
  "title": "Asian Games offer tough test as Malaysia chase six gold medals",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/asian-games-offer-tough-test-as-malaysia-chase-six-gold-medals",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-18T02:36:04.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/sports/others/2026/09/1535249/asian-games-offer-tough-test-malaysia-chase-six-gold-medals"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On the eve of the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, Malaysia's national team, featuring a 352-strong contingent led by chef-de-mission Datuk Sumali Reduan, is set to test their mettle against formidable opposition. The team has set its sights on a six gold, seven silver, and 20 bronze medal target, a similar feat they achieved at the Hangzhou Games (6-8-18).\n\nBadminton, a sport where Malaysia traditionally excels, will be a key battleground. The public eye will be on Aaron Chia-Tee Kai Wun and Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani in the men's doubles events. The Badminton Association of Malaysia has set a one silver and one bronze target for the Games, but privately, they have encouraged players to aim for gold. Malaysia's last badminton gold at the Asian Games was in Doha 2006, when Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong won.\n\nSquash is another area where Malaysia has traditionally performed well. The Squash Racquets Association of Malaysia has set a three-gold target for the Nagoya Games, with defending champions Ng Eain Yow and S. Sivasangari expected to retain their titles. However, both players will face stiff competition from players like Pakistan's Noor Zaman and India's Abhay Singh in the final rounds.\n\nTrack cycling will see Azizulhasni Awang, a 38-year-old former world keirin champion, make his mark. Despite his age, Awang has been in great form this season, winning two UCI World Cup keirin golds and a keirin gold at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games. His main rival will likely be Japan's world No. 4, Ota Kaiya. In the women's event, Izzah Izzati Asri will be Malaysia's best hope, facing off against two-time world champion Mina Sato and China's Yuan Liying.\n\nThe national men's hockey squad will be looking to redeem themselves after recent disappointing performances, with a target of reaching the men's final and qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. In Judo, Amir Daniel Abdul Majeed, who won Malaysia's first Commonwealth Games gold in Glasgow, will be competing for his first Asian Games. He will face much tougher opposition, aiming for a podium finish or important ranking points for future qualification.",
  "summary": "KUALA LUMPUR: The national contingent heads into the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games buoyed by a successful outing at last month’s Glasgow Commonwealth Games but they will be facing much tougher opposition in a number of sports at the Asiad which begins on Saturday.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": "Malaysia's medal ambitions in key sports like badminton, squash, track cycling, hockey, and judo signal a push for redemption and resurgence in traditionally strong areas and new opportunities.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 5,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Winnipeg Free Press",
        "title": "By the numbers: A look at the Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/by-the-numbers-a-look-at-the-asian-games-in-nagoya-japan",
        "published": "2026-09-17T23:41:47.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Channel News Asia",
        "title": "Japan’s manufacturing hub Aichi bets on Asian Games to drive growth despite soaring costs",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/japans-manufacturing-hub-aichi-bets-on-asian-games-to-drive-growth",
        "published": "2026-09-18T02:36:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Indian Express",
        "title": "India not a sporting superpower, but can make presence felt at Asian Games",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/india-not-a-sporting-superpower-but-can-make-presence-felt-at-asian",
        "published": "2026-09-18T02:41:04.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Soon Kit backs Sze Fei-Izzuddin to end Asian Games gold drought",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/soon-kit-backs-sze-fei-izzuddin-to-end-asian-games-gold-drought",
        "published": "2026-09-18T02:57:06.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}