{
  "id": 9135233,
  "title": "'She trains like a machine': Coach Sharmendran hails Asian Games champ Adeola",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/22/she-trains-like-a-machine-coach-sharmendran-hails-asian-games-champ",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-22T10:46:04.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/sports/others/2026/09/1538644/she-trains-machine-coach-sharmendran-hails-asian-games-champ-adeola"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Adeola Fay Robert made history at the Asian Games by winning Malaysia's first gold medal in Aichi-Nagoya, becoming the nation's first champion. This victory also provided relief to her teammate C. Shahmalarani prior to her kumite challenge. The 20-year-old demonstrated a composed performance, defeating Iran's Fatemeh Zahra Saeidabadi 6-4 in the women's under-55kg final. Adeola's rise to prominence began with her silver medal at the 2024 Sarawak Malaysia Games (Sukma) and her subsequent inclusion in the national team. Coach R. Sharmendran recognized her potential and brought her into the national set-up, where she committed herself to the demands of elite sport. Her daily routine revolves around training and her studies, with Coach Sharmendran emphasizing her dedication, stating that Adeola trains like a machine. Her journey was not without challenges, as the coach revealed she had to endure the rigors of national-team training upon joining the team. Describing her debut as well-deserved, Coach Sharmendran highlighted her cool demeanor during the final. His pride in her achievement extended beyond the medal, noting that her success has changed the mood in the Malaysian camp and reduced pressure for Shahmalarani ahead of her contest. The team remains focused, acknowledging that they do not take any opponent lightly and are hopeful for more medals, including a gold, for the country.",
  "summary": "KUALA LUMPUR: Adeola Fay Robert’s Asian Games gold was more than Malaysia’s first title at Aichi-Nagoya — it also lifted a weight off teammate C. Shahmalarani ahead of her kumite challenge on Wednesday.",
  "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."
}