BANGKOK: Malaysia closed its 2025 SEA Games campaign on a historic note after setting six Games records and 12 national records in Thailand.
National Sports Council (MSN) director-general Jefri Ngadirin said the outstanding achievements were sparked by several key events that saw Malaysian athletes push beyond their previous performance limits.
Games records in athletics were contributed by Jonah Chang Rigan in the men’s shot put, as well as by Muhammad Irfan Shamsuddin in the men’s discus.
“Muhammad Irfan further cemented his legendary status by winning his seventh gold medal at the Southeast Asian Games,” he said at the national contingent’s performance summary press conference on Saturday (Dec 20).
He also revealed that Grace Wong Xiu Mei stole the spotlight after breaking three records simultaneously — the Games record, national record and her personal best in the women’s hammer throw.
“Other national athletics records were set by the men’s 4x100m relay team, Danish Iftikhar (men’s 200m), Ng Jing Xuan (javelin), and Nani Shahirah (women’s shot put),” he said.
In swimming, national records were set by Tong Yu Jing (men’s 50m freestyle), the men’s 4x200m freestyle relay team, the men’s 4x100m medley relay team, the women’s 4x100m freestyle relay team, and Chong Xin Lin (women’s 100m backstroke), reflecting long-term preparation.
“Cycling also contributed to the surge in national records, with several men’s and women’s team events setting new national marks following improvements in race strategy. Shooting added to the Games record tally through Gan Chen Jie (women’s 50m 3-position), the women’s team 50m 3-position, and Haritz Iklil Hessly Hafiz (men’s 50m 3-position),” he said.
He added that one of the most meaningful moments for the national contingent was the men’s team regu sepak takraw victory over hosts Thailand, ending a 34-year drought.
Jefri also noted that judo created history when its gold medal marked the country’s first since 1981, ending a 44-year wait and giving new momentum to the development of the sport at the regional level.
