KUCHING: Fifteen-year-old Yang Mulia Puteri Sharifah Ariel Budriah Jamalullail carved her name into Malaysian sporting history after clinching the nation’s first-ever equestrian gold at the 3rd Asian Youth Games (AYG) in Bahrain on Oct 26.
Riding her trusted mount, Panamera Z, Sharifah Ariel delivered a flawless performance in the individual show jumping final, clearing all barriers in a blistering 29.85 seconds during the jump-off to emerge champion among 14 finalists.
Iraq’s Mohd Humam Harith claimed silver (30.52s), while the UAE’s Mohd Saleh Mufrrej Ali Alkarbi took bronze (31.10s).
The victory also marked Malaysia’s maiden gold medal at this year’s Games.
Meanwhile, Nigel Gerfan secured silver in the boys’ pole vault with a 4.50m clearance, while muay exponent Aureylle Xzandra Bobby contributed another in the girls’ Wai Kru (14–15) event.
Malaysia’s tally currently stands at one gold, two silvers and nine bronzes, placing the contingent 22nd overall.
China currently leads the medal standings with 54 golds, followed by Uzbekistan (25) and Kazakhstan (18).
The Games began on Oct 23 and will conclude on Oct 31.
For the record, Sharifah Ariel is the daughter of Yang Amat Mulia Datuk Seri Diraja Syed Amir Abidin Jamalullail of the Perlis royal family.
