Gold medals flowed for Malaysia at the 33rd SEA Games Thailand 2025 today as the national contingent delivered one of their most productive outings, hauling 11 gold medals on Day 8 to raise their overall tally to 41 gold medals.

Combat sports stole the spotlight, contributing five gold medals, while standout performances in muay thai, pencak silat, squash, netball, shooting, esports and cricket underlined Malaysia’s growing momentum as the Games entered a decisive phase.

The highlight of the day unfolded at the iconic Lumpinee Stadium, where Malaysia’s muay thai squad produced an explosive performance, claiming three gold medals in a discipline traditionally dominated by Thailand.

Sixteen-year-old prodigy Mikail Ghazali Zulfikar lived up to expectations, edging Thailand’s Sirilun Suphakon 29–28 to win gold in the under-55kg final. “I’m truly grateful, Alhamdulillah,” said Mikail, fondly known as Miki.

Earlier, Wassof Rumijam silenced the partisan home crowd with a narrow 29–28 victory over Thai favourite Thongchai Huanak in the under-54kg final, while national muay thai queen Yan Jia Chi (Angie) added to the celebrations by striking gold in the wai kru event, scoring 9.33 points to defeat Thai world champion Thongduang Thanawan.

In pencak silat, drama unfolded in the men’s Class D (under-65kg) final when Muhammad Izzul Irfan, initially beaten 60–57 by Thailand’s Peerapon Mitasarn, was eventually awarded the gold following a successful Malaysian protest. After a 10-point deduction for infringement, Mitasarn lost 57–50, handing Izzul the title.

Malaysia’s silat success continued when Ummi Mashitah Hassan clinched gold in the women’s Class C (55–60kg) category. The 22-year-old stunned the home favourite Anuntaya Niyompan 104–88, delivering one of Malaysia’s most memorable victories of the Games.

Squash proved equally fruitful as Harith Danial Jefri emerged as the hero, claiming two gold medals in the jumbo events. Partnering Low Wa Sern, Harith upset Philippines’ top seeds Christopher Buraga/Jonathan Reyes 11–4, 8–11, 11–5 to win the men’s doubles title. He then combined with K. Sehveetrraa to defeat Reyes/Aerra Mae Relano 11–5, 11–2 in the jumbo mixed doubles final.

In netball, Malaysia defended their SEA Games crown in dramatic fashion, edging arch-rivals Singapore 52–49 in a tense final. The victory mirrored their triumph at the 2019 Manila Games, the last time netball featured at the SEA Games.

At the shooting range, Gan Chen Jie clinched gold in the women’s 50m rifle three-positions event with 451.7 points, narrowly edging Indonesia’s Audrey Zahra Dhiyaanisa by 0.2 points. Singapore’s Adele Tan settled for bronze. “I didn’t expect gold. I was just aiming for a medal as this is my first SEA Games,” said Gan.

History was also made in esports as Malaysia’s women’s Mobile Legends: Bang Bang team captured the country’s first gold in the discipline. The squad of Qurratul Ain Nurfarisha Nizam, Afrina Balqis Ibdhi Har Ali, Hanis Wahidah Dashuki, Queenie Lim and Sharifah Alia Husna Syed Fakhrurozi upset powerhouse Philippines 4–3 in a thrilling final at Chulalongkorn University.

Cricket capped off the golden run as Malaysia secured their second title of the Games, defeating Indonesia by seven wickets to win the Twenty10 gold. The national side topped the five-team standings with a perfect four wins, adding to their earlier Twenty20 gold.

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