SELANGOR: Sarawak’s taekwondo squad exceeded its gold medal target at the 2026 Malaysia Games (SUKMA) after finishing with four titles – one more than the three initially set before the Games.
The milestone was sealed by defending champion Aj Ong Yang Yi, who successfully retained the men’s +87kg title with a commanding 2-0 victory over Johor’s Dushendran Kumar Suresh Kumar at the Ideal Convention Centre on Sunday (Aug 16) today.
Aj controlled the contest from start to finish, taking the opening round 13-4 before wrapping up the second 13-5 to successfully defend the crown he won at SUKMA Sarawak 2024.
His triumph completed Sarawak’s golden quartet alongside Allexandre Axcell (men’s -63kg), Mohamad Zulhafiz (men’s -87kg) and Pretty Amisha Amanda (women’s +73kg).
Sarawak Taekwondo Association president, Azizul Annuar Adenan, said the squad had surpassed the three-gold target submitted to the Sarawak State Sports Council (MSNS) and Sarawak Sports Corporation (SSC).
“Alhamdulillah, I am very proud of the Sarawak taekwondo squad’s achievement this time. We targeted three gold medals, but we managed to get four,” he told reporters.
Azizul, who also serves as assistant chef de mission (Judo), said he was equally pleased that both taekwondo and judo had contributed gold medals to Sarawak’s campaign.
He expressed hope that taekwondo’s success would inspire athletes from other sports to continue adding to the state’s medal tally.
“Taekwondo delivered Sarawak’s first gold medal at these Games, and I hope it gives the contingent even more motivation to win more medals,” he said.
