Asian Games 2026: Adeola wins Malaysia’s first gold, sepak takraw reaches semis, badminton teams bow out

Malaysia’s Adeola Fay Robert in action against Iran’s Fatemehzahra Saeidabadi in the women’s kumite final at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games in Toyohashi, Japan, on September 22, 2026. — Bernama pic

First Published: Wednesday, 23 Sep 2026 9:16 AM MYT

NAGOYA, Sept 23 — The Malaysian contingent wrapped up the fourth day of competitions in the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games with one gold and one bronze medal, alongside several key results in badminton and sepak takraw.

National karate exponent Adeola Fay Robert took the spotlight by presenting Malaysia’s first gold medal of these games after defeating Iran’s Fatemehzahra Saeidabadi 6-4 in the women’s under-55 kilogramme (kg) kumite final at the Toyohashi Gymnasium.

The success also ended a long wait for the national women’s karate squad to win an Asian Games gold since Syakilla Salni achieved it at the 2014 Incheon edition.

In wushu, Tan Cheong Min contributed a bronze medal through the combined women’s nanquan and nandao event after accumulating 19.389 points.

The 24-year-old exponent, who won silver at the Hangzhou 2022 edition, had to settle for bronze after making a slight landing error during her nandao routine.

In badminton, the national men’s squad was eliminated in the quarterfinals after losing 2-3 to Indonesia, despite first singles player Leong Jun Hao creating a sensation by defeating world number one Jonatan Christie.

The women’s badminton squad also crashed out in the quarterfinals after losing 1-3 to South Korea. Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah sparked a temporary comeback when they defeated world number two pair Baek Ha Na-Lee So Hee, but young duo Cheng Su Yin-Low Zi Yu failed to seal the contest in a deciding match that ended 21-18, 11-21, 22-24.

In sepak takraw, Malaysia advanced to the semifinals of the team regu event as Group B champions after thrashing India 3-0. The national squad, which had earlier also defeated Japan and the Philippines, will face Group A runner-up South Korea or Indonesia, tomorrow.

Malaysia’s Muhammad Afifuddin Mohd Razali attempts to block the ball from an Indian player during the men’s team regu sepak takraw event at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya on September 22, 2026; Malaysia won 3-0. — Bernama pic

Overall, Adeola’s success propelled Malaysia’s medal tally to one gold and three bronze, with two karate bronzes contributed by Thevendran Kaliana Sundram and H. Sureeya Sankar on the first day, while Cheong Min added another bronze today.

Tomorrow, attention will shift to several events including men’s and women’s singles squash, which will open their campaign.

Medal-potential events such as karate and e-sports will also take place tomorrow. — Bernama