Debutant Adeola Fay Robert Strikes Malaysia's First Gold at Aichi-Nagoya 2026

Malaysia had to wait until Tuesday for its first gold at the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, and it came from a name many casual fans were only just learning. Adeola Fay Robert, a 20-year-old karateka from Sabah making her Asian Games debut, won the women's under-55kg kumite at Toyohashi Gymnasium on 22 September.

In the final she beat Iran's Fatemehzahra Saeidabadi 6-4, giving Malaysia its first women's karate gold at the Asian Games since Syakilla Salni won at Incheon 2014.

A tough route to the top

Adeola had to get past four opponents, and the fights got closer the further she went:

• Round 1: beat Kuwait's Asrar Jasem 9-1
• Round 2: beat Uzbekistan's Sevinch Rakhimova 8-7
• Semi-final: beat Kazakhstan's Bella Samasheva 5-4
• Final: beat Iran's Fatemehzahra Saeidabadi 6-4

Two of those wins came by a single point. That kind of composure is uncommon in someone this new to senior multi-sport competition.

"I did not expect to reach the final"

Speaking after her win, Adeola admitted she had not come to Japan thinking about gold.

"Honestly, I did not expect to reach the final. I just wanted to do my best and see what the outcome would be," she said, as reported by Bernama and Malay Mail.

Her rise has been quick. She joined the national squad in December 2024 after coach R. Sharmendran spotted her potential. Before Aichi-Nagoya, her biggest result was a bronze medal at the 2025 SEA Games in Bangkok.

"I did not expect 2024 to mark the start of my national squad journey. Coach Sharmendran saw that I had the talent and qualities to compete internationally," she said.

Karate carrying the flag early

Karate has been Malaysia's best source of medals in the first week in Japan. Thevendran Kaliana Sundram won Malaysia's first medal of the Games on 20 September, a bronze in the men's under-55kg kumite after beating Nepal's Rakesh Manandhar 9-1. H. Sureeya Sankar then added another bronze in the men's under-60kg, beating Vietnam's Chu Van Duc 10-2.

Adeola's gold turned those early bronzes into momentum. By the next evening, fellow karateka C. Shahmalarani had added a second karate gold in the women's under-50kg, and the men's kata team had won bronze.

Why it matters

Karate was one of 13 sports the National Sports Council (NSC) listed as medal prospects before the Games. Malaysia is chasing six golds overall, and a gold from a 20-year-old debutant helps both now and for the future. Adeola has years ahead of her in the sport and has already beaten opponents from Iran, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, all strong karate nations.

For Sabah, it is another local success story at the continental level. For Malaysian karate, it is a first women's Asian Games title in 12 years.

Key takeaways

• Adeola Fay Robert won Malaysia's first gold at Aichi-Nagoya 2026 in the women's under-55kg kumite on 22 September.
• She beat Iran's Fatemehzahra Saeidabadi 6-4 in the final after close wins in the round of 16 and semi-final.
• It is Malaysia's first women's karate gold at the Asian Games since Syakilla Salni in 2014.
• The 20-year-old Sabahan only joined the national squad in December 2024.

FAQ

Who did Adeola beat in the final? Iran's Fatemehzahra Saeidabadi, 6-4, at Toyohashi Gymnasium.

Was this her first Asian Games? Yes. Aichi-Nagoya 2026 is her Asian Games debut. Her previous major medal was a bronze at the 2025 SEA Games.

Who coaches her? National coach R. Sharmendran, who brought her into the national squad in December 2024.

Sources: Bernama, Malay Mail, The Sun