SHAH ALAM: In the midst of the kicks and punches, compassion and friendship were the secrets of Sabah's karate exponent Nur Radhiah Fathiah Razmi and her teammates’ success at the Malaysia Games (Sukma).
Radhiah, 18, singled out their coaches, Sensei Danny and Ronnie, as the primary pillars in their decisive 2-0 victory over the Johor team in the girls’ team kumite finals.
“They are truly the most understanding and caring coaches. We wouldn’t have been able to get here without them,” she said at the IDCC after the match.
“Even when we lose, they never reprimand us.”
The empathetic approach has helped to foster a strong sense of camaraderie among the girls, enabling them to develop a well-coordinated strategy in combat.
“We all know each other from training during school times. But we got way closer in the last five years.
“Our only fights are on the mat. Outside we’re buddies.”
The gold medal was particularly gratifying for Radhiah, as she had only secured bronze in the same team event at the previous Games in Kuching in 2024.
Meanwhile, the Federal Territories managed to win gold in successive Games for the men’s team kumite as they beat Sabah 3-1, preventing a clean sweep for the east Malaysian state.
It proved to be an especially trying evening for S. Neelesh as he had to battle through a knee injury that he sustained during the individual rounds.
“I wanted the team to win at all costs. So I just kept pushing through the pain. It’s all worth it now,” he said.
RESULTS
Team Kumite
Men
Final: Federal Territories (R. Amarnath, Danesh Asyrraf Mohd Nazri, S. Devesh, N. Dinesh, V. Hayvin, R. Nageswaran, S. Neelesh) bt Sabah (Bryan Andreas,Hazron Joel Hadrian, Jericho Jones Jason, Jude Joseph Johannes, Khairil Iman Ahmat, Syahmi Izzan Saharin, Xavier Luke Lo Zhaovui) 3-1
Bronze-medal match: 1. Sarawak (Ethan Islandar Mohd, Hayden Peri Harem, Ku Jia He,,, Mohd Haziq Mohd Shamsudin, Shazwan Azhad Mirza Jahari) bt Johor (A. Leidaneswaran, K. Navaneethan, S. Sethu, K. Tarshan, K. Yatheven) 3-2, 2. Kedah (Iman Mohd Fadhil, V. Krishnan, Mohd Ammar Sirajudeen, A. Thinagaraj) bt Kelantan (R. Deben, Jonathan Quek Jian Liang, T. Nitellvan, S.Reshvien) 3-1
Women
Final: Sabah (Adeola Fay Robert, Allyssa Audrey Anthony Tinggi, Ameera Fay Robert, Chin Xueyi, Nur Radhiah Fathiah Razmi) bt Johor (Elektra Red Rodgiro Del Rosario, K. Mughambighai, Y. Thurga Sree, S. Vaissnavi) 2-0
Bronze-medal match: 1. Sarawak (Agnes Joanna, Annabelle Ping Balan, Eidelweiss Franzel, Grace Limbang Patrick, Jaclyn Saran Peter) bt Pahang (Nur Damia Batrisya, Nur Farahanim Saffiya, Nurul Asyqin, V. Samitah, Tengku Natrah Adani) 2-1, 2. Selangor (N. Haretashni, T. Nishalliny, S. Sanjena, S. Thanalakchumy, S. Yashlini) bt Perak (M. Devika, R. Mretika, S. Nitigasri, Puteri Rabiatul Adawiyah, I. Shirlene Ann) 2-0
