Thevendran delivers Malaysia’s first medal at Asian Games

Malaysia has won its first medal of the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games with karate exponent K Thevendran clinching bronze in the men’s below 55kg kumite event today.

Thevendran defeated Nepal’s Rakesh Manandhar 9-1 in the bronze medal bout at the Toyohashi Gymnasium, Bernama reported.

Thevendran scored six Yuko and one Ippon to secure the victory, while Rakesh managed only one Yuko.

Yuko is a scoring term for a one-point award for a successful, controlled punch or strike, while Ippon is awarded for a technically flawless and powerful execution of a strike or kick and is worth three points.

Meanwhile, in Nagoya, striker Faizal Saari scored a hattrick to inspire the national men’s hockey team to a flying start in their 7-0 victory over Uzbekistan.

Faizal scored a 15th-minute field goal, a 24th-minute penalty corner goal and a penalty stroke goal in the 43rd minute of their Group B opener, Bernama reported.

Malaysia’s other goals came courtesy of Norsyafiq Sumantri (11th minute, penalty corner); substitute Azimuddin Syakir Kamaruddin (36th minute, penalty corner); Azrai Aizad Abu Kamal (59th minute, field goal); and defender Faiz Helmi Jali (60th minute, field goal).

The Speedy Tigers, coached by South African Brendon Carolan, will take on Oman in their second Group B match on Tuesday.

The top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals.

The 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, which officially opened yesterday, will conclude on Oct 4.