ALTHOUGH they come from different backgrounds, compete in different arenas and chase different dreams, when Malaysian athletes step onto the international stage, they carry the same flag.
In a way, they also represent every Malaysian who strives not only for personal victory, but for the success of the country as a whole. From the badminton court to the diving board, the athletics track to the squash court, Malaysia’s sporting heroes have given the nation countless moments of pride.
Their medals and records may belong to individual athletes, but the moments they create are shared by a country, bringing Malaysians together in celebration regardless of race, age or background.
As the country approaches Malaysia Day on Sept 16, we look at some of these outstanding athletes – not just for their achievements, but for the personal touches that make them unique.
Mischievous ‘Racing Boy’
Before hurtling through the air towards gold in the men’s long jump T20 at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, Datuk Latif Romly was an avid footballer and an energetic child who was always on the move.
He loved running and playing futsal and even dabbled in high jump. The youngest of seven siblings, he was considered the most tiresome by his mother and once literally stirred up a hornet’s nest, receiving 14 stings.
Latif went on to break several of his own records and win more titles, including another Paralympic gold at Tokyo 2020. Most recently, he added the 2026 Glasgow Commonwealth Games title to his collection, describing it as the culmination of a patient 12-year journey to win every major international title.
Squash queen loves urban music
Away from the squash court, Datuk Nicol David enjoys hip-hop and R&B music. The eight-time World Open champion also loves street dancing and doodling, making her notebook and phone indispensable companions.
Starting at the tender age of five, Nicol joined her sisters in friendly matches. But with regular squash racquets too big for her, her father made her a custom wooden one to practise with.
And while being a professional athlete meant keeping herself in top shape, the Penang girl still enjoys char kuey teow and laksa during the off-season. Durians, however, are not quite her thing.
Nicol held the women’s world No. 1 ranking for 108 consecutive months, from August 2006 to September 2015. A mathematics whiz, she might even have ended up as an engineer had life taken a different turn.
Diving champ with a K-pop passion
Datuk Pandelela Rinong Pamg is another athlete with a passion beyond her sport. She enjoys K-pop and has even tried learning some of its slick dance moves.
Had she not taken up diving, Pandelela might have pursued gymnastics, which similarly relies on core strength and acrobatic skills.
She also loves travelling, cosplay and Japanese sakura trees in bloom. A huge fan of Totoro from Hayao Miyazaki’s My Neighbour Totoro, she has collected everything from toys and dolls to bed sheets, bags, shirts, hats and stuffed toys featuring the beloved character.
Pandelela is also an admirer of tennis great Rafael Nadal, whom she respects for his work ethic and determination.
Hyperactive kid finds her outlet
What happens when a child is bursting with energy, climbing and jumping around whenever she visits a playground? You channel that energy into gymnastics – and watch her become a pioneer for the sport in Malaysia.
She began training at the age of three and joined the national team at eight, eventually making her Olympic debut at Tokyo 2020. She was only the third Malaysian to qualify for the highly competitive sport at the Olympics.
A multiple SEA Games gold medallist who has also competed at the Commonwealth Games, Asian Games and world championships, she has nevertheless been open about her frustration with online trolls on social media.
Accidental weightlifting star
Aniq Kasdan’s journey to becoming one of Malaysia’s leading weightlifters began almost by accident. A budding hockey player, he accompanied his older brother to weight training and gradually became drawn to the sport, which also offered an escape from being cooped up in the dorms.
He spent a year convincing his father that weightlifting was the right path for him before going on to win silver in the clean and jerk at the 2021 World Weightlifting Championships – Malaysia’s first-ever medal at the event.
When Covid-19 disrupted training, Aniq returned to his kampung and worked at an oil palm plantation while continuing to train with his coach through video calls.
After winning Malaysia’s first gold at the 2026 Commonwealth Games, his first priority was surprisingly simple – his mother’s cooking.
Gallery of national fame
These athletes and more are now honoured in Semangat Membara, Untukmu Malaysia, an art installation by U Mobile at Bangunan Sultan Abdul Samad
Their stories may be different, but together they remind us of the many faces behind the Jalur Gemilang and the shared pride that comes when that flag rises.
