BANGKOK: Teenager K. Thevendran made a dream SEA Games debut while seasoned campaigner C. Shahmalarani did not disappoint as both struck gold for Malaysia in the karate competition in Bangkok.
The 20-year-old Thevendran was the first to secure the gold, beating Vietnam’s Chu Van Duc 4-0 in the men’s kumite below 55kg final on Friday (Dec 12).
Shahmalarani stepped in next and in quick fashion, she took out Myanmar’s Florence Nay Chi Htun 4-0 in the women’s kumite below 55kg final.
Shahmalarani thus achieved a hattrick of SEA Games gold medals in her category, having won in Vietnam in 2022 and Cambodia two years ago.
