27/07/2026

SPORTS MONDAY | JULY 27, 2026

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Historic 3x3 basketball debut lights up campaign

MALAYSIA enjoyed a memorable day at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, with the national men’s 3x3 basketball team stealing the spotlight after making a historic debut with three straight victories. The quartet of Chong Zhen Yang, Chang Zi Fueng, Ting Chun Hong and Ooi Xian Fu pro duced a perfect start to their Group B campaign at the Scottish Event Campus (SEC), defeating Fiji 21-16 to record Malaysia’s first victory in the men’s 3x3 basketball event at the Commonwealth Games. The breakthrough win sparked further confi dence as Malaysia continued their impressive run, beating Kenya 21-15 before completing a memorable opening day with another 21-15 victory over regional rivals Singapore. The three consecutive wins placed Malaysia in a strong position to reach the knockout stage, while keeping alive their ambition of securing at least a semifinal appearance in their first Commonwealth Games campaign. Malaysia will face England before complet

ing the knockout stage. “Obviously we want to win our first match, but it wasn’t our day. The last shot didn’t happen, so we will focus on the next two matches against Scotland and South Africa,” he said. “Our chance of advancing is still there. The group winner will qualify directly to the semi-final, while the second and third-placed teams will play in the quar terfinals.” Atib added that Malaysia needed to improve their communication, especially when attacking, to avoid being rushed in the final moments. “I think today we were just unlucky but I’m con vinced we will rise again in the next matches,”he said. Malaysia’s lawn bowlers also continued their encouraging start in Glasgow, with Izzat Shameer Dzulkeple maintaining his unbeaten record in the men’s singles Group D competition. After opening his campaign with a straight-sets victory over Cecil Alexander of the Falkland Islands, Izzat edged Malta’s Shaun Parnis 1.5-0.5 to strengthen his hopes of advancing to the next stage. The women’s pairs combination of Aleena Ahmad Nawawi and Syafiqa Haidar Afif Abdul Rahman also impressed, recording two convincing 2-0 victories over opponents from the Falkland Islands and Jersey. The pair’s strong performance kept Malaysia’s medal hopes alive in lawn bowls, where the national squad has set a target of winning two medals of any colour. – Bernama/Agencies

ing their group fixtures against Jamaica. The group winners advance directly to the semifi nals, while teams finishing second and third will compete in the quarterfinals. However, the men’s 3x3 wheelchair basket ball team endured a heartbreaking start after Wales snatched a narrow 14-13 victory in their opening Group B match. Muhamad Atib Zakaria, Muhammad Roozaimi Johari and Freday Tan were involved in a closely fought contest against Wales, with both teams trading the lead throughout the match. The Malaysian trio looked set to celebrate victory before Ben Johnson-Rolfe, Dan May and Alexander Marshall-Wilson secured the win for Wales with a decisive final-minute effort. Atib, who scored 10 points for Malaysia, admitted the defeat was disappointing but insisted the team remained confident of reach

MEDAL TALLY G S B COUNTRY COMMONWEALTH 2026 1. Australia 12 5 6 23 2. England 3 7 5 15 3. Nigeria 3 3 0 6 4. Scotland 2 2 0 4 5. South Africa 2 1 3 6 6. Canada 1 1 2 4 7. Malaysia 1 0 1 2 8. New Zealand 0 2 2 4 9. Wales 0 1 2 3 10. India 0 1 1 2 T

Aniq smashes Games record National weightlifter retains crown in style after stepping up to heavier weight class

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M ALAYSIA’S medal tally received a major boost at the 2026 Commonwealth Games after weightlifter Mohamad Aniq Kasdan (pic) successfully defended his title in spectacular fashion by winning gold and setting a new Games record in the men’s 60kg event. Competing in a heavier category than the one he dominated at Birmingham 2022, the 24-year-old from Johor produced a combined lift of 273kg to claim the gold medal and rewrite the Commonwealth Games record books. India’s Rishikanta Singh Chanambam settled for silver with

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cated the decision to compete in the higher weight class after bulking up following Birmingham. Malaysia entered the Glasgow weightlifting competition targeting three gold medals, with Aniq regarded as the team’s biggest hope. His victory provides the per fect start for the national lifters, with several more Malaysians scheduled to compete over the coming days. The weightlifting competition at Glasgow runs until Thursday, with Malaysia hoping to build on Aniq’s golden performance and continue its proud tradition in one of the country’s most successful Commonwealth Games sports. – Agencies

retain the gold medal from four years ago,” he had said ahead of the Games. He backed up those words with a composed performance under pressure, overcoming a strong field that included Commonwealth and Asian medallists. Aniq has emerged as one of Malaysia’s brightest weightlifting stars in recent years. He became the country’s first medallist at the World Weightlifting C’ships when he won silver in the men’s 55kg clean and jerk in 2021 and has since established himself as one of the leading lifters in the Commonwealth. His latest success also vindi

a total of 264kg, while Kenya’s Joshua Amunga Mboya claimed bronze on 260kg. Aniq’s triumph marked another milestone in an already impressive career. Having won the 55kg title in Birmingham four years ago, he proved he could carry his domi nance into the tougher 60kg divi sion, delivering Malaysia’s first gold medal of the Glasgow Games in the process. Before the competition, Aniq had admitted the move up in weight class presented a fresh chal lenge but insisted his goal remained unchanged. “I aim to do better than I did before. I promise to do my best to

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Josue gives Harimau Malaya winning start

PAULO JOSUE’S second-half brace inspired Harimau Malaya to a 2-1 comeback victory over Myanmar as Malaysia launched their 2026 Asean Cup campaign with three valuable points in Yangon on Saturday. The skipper struck twice after the break to overturn Myanmar’s early lead, handing interim head coach Tan Cheng Hoe a winning start despite concerns over his team’s fitness following a short preparation period. Playing at the Thuwunna Stadium, Malaysia fell behind in the 10th minute when Myat Kaung Khant gave the hosts the lead. The early setback unsettled Harimau Malaya, but they gradually found their rhythm and began creating chances. Naturalised for ward Endrick Dos Santos came closest to equal ising before halftime, only to be denied by Myanmar goalkeeper Zin Nyi Nyi.

Malaysia (FAM). “Fitness-wise we were a bit worried because most of the players have just come back from pre-season training, but we always focus on one game at a time. “I hope that in another one or two matches we will be ready in terms of teamwork, under standing and chemistry because those are very important.” The former national coach also credited Josue’s leadership in guiding a squad blending youth and experience. Man of the Match Josue said the result reflected the players’ commitment despite hav ing only 10 days together under Cheng Hoe. “It’s not easy to understand everything that the coach wants from us after only 10 days together, but we played a good game and I’m really proud of the boys,” he said. – Bernama

Malaysia emerged a transformed side after the restart and drew level in the 52nd minute when Josue finished clinically with his left foot. Five minutes later, Mohamadou Sumareh was brought down inside the penalty area, and Josue calmly converted the resulting spot-kick to complete his brace and put Malaysia ahead. Myanmar mounted sustained pressure in the closing stages, but a disciplined Malaysian defence held firm to seal victory and move to the top of Group B. Cheng Hoe praised his players’ determina tion while acknowledging there is still plenty of room for improvement. “Of course the result really gives me confi dence. The players really played well. We know we still have some weaknesses and we are still building our character as a team,” he said in an audio shared by the Football Association of

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