Malaysia’s karate queen Shahmalarani defends her SEA Games title on her birthday, securing a hat-trick of gold medals in the women’s kumite under 50kg.
BANGKOK: Malaysia’s karate queen C. Shahmalarani successfully defended her gold medal in the women’s kumite under 50kg event at the 2025 SEA Games.
The victory secured a personal hat-trick of SEA Games titles for the 26-year-old athlete.
She achieved the feat on her birthday, defeating Myanmar’s Florence Nay Chi Htun 4-0 in the final at the Chaeng Watthana Government Complex.
Shahmalarani had previously won gold at the 2021 SEA Games in Vietnam and the 2023 edition in Cambodia.
“This is incredibly special for me,” she told reporters after the match.
She described the win as a birthday gift and a contribution of gold for Malaysia.
“Being one of the gold medal contributors is a proud moment for me and for Malaysia,” she added.
Meanwhile, another gold for Malaysia came from young exponent K. Thevendran in his SEA Games debut.
Thevendran triumphed in the men’s kumite under 55kg event.
He defeated Vietnam’s Chu Van Duc 4-0 to secure his gold medal.
