17/12/2025

SPORTS WEDNESDAY | DEC 17, 2025

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THE harmony established between each other was the main key that drove Malaysia’s men’s 4x100m quartet to break the national record at the SEA Games Thailand 2025 athletics competition at Suphachalasai Stadium in Bangkok on Monday. National athletics head coach, Mohd Manshahar Abdul Jalil said the experimentation with the quartet lined up comprising Jonathan Nyepa and three young runners, Danish Iftikhar Muhammad Roslee, Alif Iman Mohd Fahimi, and Pengiran Aidil Auf Hajam, in the three previous training camp sessions had borne fruit after they recorded a time of 39.03 seconds (s) to win the silver medal in the event this time. The record erased the national record of 39.09s set by the quartet of Muhammad Azeem Fahmi, Muhammad Arsyad Saat, Muhammad Haiqal Hanafi and Muhammad Zulfiqar Ismail in the 2021 edition in Hanoi, Vietnam. “This is a good combination and Alhamdulillah they have done as they should. For me this is a national record that has not been broken for quite some time. “The harmony formed between the runners has caused them to break the record and we will certainly expect the men’s 4x100m quartet this time to do their best,“ he said when met here He was also optimistic that the country’s men’s 4x100m quartet will continue to break national records in the future, especially with the arrival of sprinter Muhammad Azeem Fahmi, who is not be able to participate in the Thailand 2025 SEA Games due to study commitments in the United States. In related news, Malaysian Athletics (MA) has set a target to ensure that the country’s men’s 4x100m quartet is qualified and capable of competing competitively at the World Athletics Relays in the future. Its president Datuk Karim Ibrahim said MA is now focusing on forming the strongest quartet to be sent to compete at the prestigious championship. “When we look at the achievement of Danish who has recorded 10.18s at the age of 18, it is a positive sign. “With Azeem and Danish, as well as two or three other athletes to be identified, we will do our best to ensure that the national quartet can be sent to compete in the World Relay Championships,” he said yesterday. – Bernama ’Teamwork key to quartet breaking record’

player in the world. The same script also featured South Korean star, An Se Young who won the best women’s singles player award and was subsequently crowned the best women’s player in the world. Virandeep included in IPL auction VIRANDEEP SINGH has become the first Malaysian cricketer to be included in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 Player Auction, scheduled to take place overnight in Abu Dhabi, according to the Malaysian Cricket Association (MCA). Virandeep described the inclusion a proud moment for him and for Malaysian cricket. “I am grateful for the support from MCA, my coaches, teammates, and family. Being part of the IPL Auction motivates me to continue working hard and to represent Malaysia with pride wherever I play,” he said.

SEA GAMES

SHORTS

Liek Hou crowned world para player of the year

NOT ONE but two awards were won by national badminton champion Cheah Liek Hou at the Badminton World Federation (BWF) Gala in Hangzhou, China, on Monday night The award received by the two-time Paralympic Games gold medallist was the best male para player, beating his challengers Daiki Kajiwara from Japan, Kumar Nitesh (India) and Park Hae Seong (South Korea). In addition, the 37-year-old player and his partner Mohd Fareez Anuar were also named the best male doubles pair. “It is very meaningful for me because this is the first time I won this award. I would like to thank BWF for recognising that I’m one of the best athletes of 2025,” he said as reported by BWF Meanwhile, Chinese player Shi Yu Qi won two awards at the ceremony, namely the best male singles player, thus qualifying him to be named the best male

MEDAL TALLY G S B

COUNTRY

Ttl

1. Thailand 2. Indonesia 3. Vietnam 4. Singapore 5. Malaysia 6. Philippines 7. Myanmar

152

91 69 50 34 31 41 17

64 307 65 193 74 165 42 110 83 142 83 151

59 41 34 28 27

Virandeep previously featured in several international franchise tournaments, including the Canadian Premier League, International League T20 and the Nepal Premier League, gaining valuable experience against world-class players. Gutsy Harimau Muda

3 2 1 0

17 16

44 24

8. Laos

6 3 0

9. Brunei

4 2

8 2

10. Timor-Leste

RESULTS & STANDINGS

National player Aiman Yusuf (left) in action during the semifinal match against host Thailand at the 2025 SEA Games at the Rajamangala National Stadium yesterday. – BERNAMAPIC

ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE Manchester United 4 (Diallo 13, Casemiro 45+4, Fernandes 77, Cunha 79) Bournemouth 4 (Semenyo 40, Evanil son 46, Tavernier 52, Kroupi 84) . Top10 P W D L F A Pts Arsenal 16 11 3 2 30 10 36 Man City 16 11 1 4 38 16 34 Aston Villa 16 10 3 3 25 17 33 Chelsea 16 8 4 4 27 15 28 Palace 16 7 5 4 20 15 26 Man Utd 16 7 5 4 30 26 26 Liverpool 16 8 2 6 26 24 26 Sunderland 16 7 5 4 19 17 26 Everton 16 7 3 6 18 19 24 Brighton 16 6 5 5 25 23 23 CHAMPIONSHIP Sheffield Wednesday 0 Derby County 3. Top 6 P W D L F A Pts Coventry 21 14 5 2 52 22 47 M’brough 21 12 6 3 33 22 42 Preston 21 9 8 4 29 22 35 Millwall 21 10 5 6 25 29 35 Ipswich 21 9 7 5 35 22 34 Hull 21 10 4 7 36 35 34 LA LIGA Rayo Vallecano 0 Real Betis 0. Top 6 P W D L F A Pts Barcelona 17 14 1 2 49 20 43 Real Madrid 17 12 3 2 34 16 39 Villarreal 15 11 2 2 31 13 35 Atleti 17 10 4 3 30 16 34 Espanyol 16 9 3 4 20 16 30 Real Betis 16 6 7 3 25 19 25 SERIE A Roma 1 (Wesley Franca 61) Como 0. Top 6 P W D L F A Pts Inter Milan 15 11 0 4 34 14 33 AC Milan 15 9 5 1 24 13 32 Napoli 15 10 1 4 22 13 31 Roma 1510 0 5 16 8 30 Juventus 15 7 5 3 19 14 26 Bologna 15 7 4 4 23 13 25

Coach hails players after defeat to Thailand N ATIONAL U-23 head coach Mohd Nafuzi Zain praised the character and discipline shown by his players despite Malaysia’s 1 0 defeat to Thailand in the men’s football semifinals of the SEA Games Thailand 2025 in Bangkok on Monday night.

young, only 19 years old and lacking the experience. “This is part of his learning process and it will benefit him in the future because he is a talented player.” In Monday’s match, Thailand’s decisive goal came in the eighth minute, when Yotsakon Burapha curled a freekick from just outside the penalty area past goalkeeper Sharani Zulhilmi at his near post. Despite playing with 10 men for almost 80 minutes, Mohd Nafuzi praised his side’s improved defensive organisation and their ability to continue creating chances. “Our defensive organisation was different from previous matches and despite being a man down, we were still able to create opportunities,” the 45 year-old coach said. The defeat means Malaysia who endured a difficult build-up to the Games due to player release issues and injuries, will meet the Philippines in the bronze medal playoff tomorrow. The Philippines were beaten 2-0 by Vietnam in the other semi-final here, yesterday. Malaysia were eliminated at the group stage at the 2023 edition in Cambodia after losing the bronze medal playoff at the 2021 edition in Hanoi. The last time the national squad finished on the podium was when they won the silver medal at the 2017 edition in Kuala Lumpur. – Bernama

Mohd Nafuzi said his team’s performance at Rajamangala National Stadium was different from their earlier matches, with the Harimau Muda managing to control the game and build confidence from the early minutes. However, the momentum of the match shifted after rightback Muhammad Aiman Yusuf Muhammad Nabil was shown a red card in the 16th minute, a situation which Mohd Nafuzi said was difficult to avoid given the player’s young age and lack of experience. “Thailand are the favourites and if you compare the players, there is a clear difference in quality between Malaysia and Thailand, with Thailand having the edge,” he told a post-match press conference. “However, from the early stages we managed the game well, controlled possession and tried to dominate to build our confidence. “The match changed after we were reduced to 10 players. “I cannot blame the player involved as he is still

Wong eyes historic WAAP title defence at Royal Wellington MALAYSIA’S Jeneath Wong is gearing up for a successful title defence at the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific (WAAP) championship when the region’s best young players descend on New Zealand for the eighth edition at Royal Wellington from Feb 12 to 15, 2026. back-to-back WAAP winner when Royal Wellington hosts the championship for the first time. “I’m really excited and grateful for the opportunity to defend my title at Royal Wellington. Any chance to return as a defending champion is special and doing it at such a well-respected venue makes it even more meaningful.

“The WAAP has had a massive impact on women’s golf in the Asia-Pacific region by creating opportunities and visibility for young female golfers. “Growing up, I followed the championship closely and always saw it as one of the biggest goals for an amateur golfer in this region. “Just qualifying to play was once a dream, so winning, it felt surreal. It shows young girls that pathways exist and big dreams are achievable,” she added. – Bernama

Wong also said becoming Malaysia’s first champion at the WAAP was truly an honour with overwhelming sense of gratitude and pride to be representing Malaysia. “Winning the WAAP was incredibly emotional, not just because of the victory itself, but because of what it meant for Malaysian golf and myself. “Seeing the support from home and knowing that the win inspired others made it even more special. Personally, it was a moment that validated all the hard work and sacrifices over the years.

The 21-year-old Wong wrote a slice of golf history in the region’s pre-eminent amateur championship for women by becoming the first Malaysian winner at Hoiana Shores, Vietnam in March and will now attempt to become the first

“From what I’ve heard, it rewards strong ball striking and smart course management, which suits my game well. I’m looking forward to the challenge,” she said in a statement yesterday.