Shahmalarani Wins Gold on Judges' Decision for Malaysia's Third Title in Japan
C. Shahmalarani won the women's under-50kg kumite after a 0-0 final against Hong Kong's Tsang Yee Ting, avenging a world final defeat along the way.
Malaysian karate had another big day at Toyohashi Gymnasium on Wednesday (23 September). C. Shahmalarani won the women's under-50kg kumite, giving Malaysia its third gold at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games and the second from karate in two days.
The final against Hong Kong's Tsang Yee Ting ended 0-0 and went to the judges, who gave the decision to the Malaysian.
The road to gold
Shahmalarani's run was a mix of one-sided wins and very tight bouts:
- First round: beat Macau's Fong Man Wai 8-0
- Quarter-final: beat Bangladesh's Saiama Jaman 5-4
- Semi-final: beat Uzbekistan's Gulshan Alimardanova 3-2
- Final: beat Hong Kong's Tsang Yee Ting on judges' decision (0-0)
The semi-final carried extra weight. According to Malay Mail, Alimardanova had beaten Shahmalarani in the final of the World Karate Championships in Cairo. This time the Malaysian won by a single point to reach the Asian Games final.
"A roller-coaster ride"
This was Shahmalarani's second Asian Games, and she said openly that the road to Japan had been difficult. Malay Mail reported that she had dealt with injuries, disappointing results and doubts about whether she would be ready in time.
"It was a roller-coaster ride but I'm so happy right now. I just want to enjoy the moment," she said.
She described the journey to gold as "very, very tough".
Karate's golden week
Her gold continued an excellent week for Malaysian karate at Toyohashi:
- 20 September: Thevendran Kaliana Sundram (men's under-55kg) and H. Sureeya Sankar (men's under-60kg) each won bronze
- 22 September: Adeola Fay Robert won gold in the women's under-55kg kumite
- 23 September: Shahmalarani won gold in the women's under-50kg, and the men's kata team won bronze after beating Vietnam
That makes two golds and three bronzes from karate so far, more than half of Malaysia's medals at these Games. It also shows the NSC was right to list karate among its 13 medal-prospect sports.
What it means for the contingent
With Shahmalarani's gold, Malaysia reached three golds, exactly half of the six-gold target set before the Games. Wednesday's results also moved Malaysia into the top 10 of the overall medal table.
The two karate golds came in the lighter women's weight categories, from a 20-year-old debutant and an experienced athlete at her second Games. That suggests Malaysian women's kumite has strength at more than one level.
Key takeaways
- C. Shahmalarani won the women's under-50kg kumite on 23 September for Malaysia's third gold.
- The final against Hong Kong's Tsang Yee Ting ended 0-0 and was decided by the judges.
- She beat Uzbekistan's Gulshan Alimardanova 3-2 in the semi-final, after losing to her in a world championship final.
- Karate has given Malaysia two golds and three bronzes so far at Aichi-Nagoya.
FAQ
How was the final decided? It ended 0-0, and the judges gave the win to Shahmalarani.
Is this her first Asian Games? No, Aichi-Nagoya 2026 is her second Asian Games.
How many karate medals has Malaysia won? Five so far: golds from Adeola Fay Robert and Shahmalarani, and bronzes from Thevendran, Sureeya and the men's kata team.
Sources: Malay Mail, Bernama