Malaysian karate athlete Zakiah Adnan’s recent performance at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, ended without a medal, but her journey to the continental stage highlights a story of determination and perseverance. The 23-year-old was eliminated in the quarter-finals after a 1-8 loss to China’s Gong Li in the women’s kumite under-61kg division.

Zakiah acknowledged the disappointment but expressed satisfaction in her effort. “I’m disappointed but I did my best. My coach also said he could see that I had done all that I could,” she said following the match.

Her journey to karate success has been marked by significant challenges and sacrifices. Initially a taekwondo athlete, Zakiah made a pivotal decision in 2019 to switch disciplines, aiming to pursue greater achievement in karate. This transition required not only technical adjustments but also a substantial physical transformation. Zakiah had to reduce her body weight by more than 8 kilograms to qualify for the lighter weight category, dropping from above 68kg to under 61kg.

“I switched from taekwondo to karate in 2019 and joined the national team in 2020,” she explained. “I had to be disciplined to reduce my weight and compete in a lower weight class to give the best possible fight. It was a big sacrifice.”

The change brought its own challenges, as Zakiah began competing against younger athletes who had more experience in the sport. Despite this, she used the situation as motivation to enhance her skills and performance. Her efforts were rewarded with a bronze medal at the SEA Games held in Thailand the previous year, marking a significant milestone in her new karate career.

While Zakiah’s run at the Asian Games did not culminate in a podium finish, her commitment to embracing change and overcoming obstacles underscores her potential for future competitions. The experience gained at this level is seen as a stepping stone as she continues her pursuit of excellence in karate on the international stage.