PETALING JAYA: Malaysia secured their second gold in the IBF World Cup after the men's team defeated Puerto Rico 3-2 in the final at Queen Elizabeth Stadium in Hong Kong on Tuesday (January 14).
The team, consisting of Rafiq Ismail, Timmy Tan, Ahmad Muaz Fishol, and Tun Ameerul Hakim Tun Hasnul Azam, won the first game 203-170 but lost the second 216-257.
They regained momentum in the third game, winning 197-180, but faltered in the fourth, losing 185-222.
In the decisive final game, Malaysia rallied to defeat the Puerto Ricans 227-161.
This victory marks Malaysia's first men's team gold medal in the IBF World Cup.
Earlier in the tournament, Natasha Roslan won the women's singles gold medal, another first for Malaysia.
This is also Rafiq's second medal in the tournament after winning the men's singles silver last week.
The women's team is set to compete in the final shortly, facing the United States.
