National hammer thrower Grace Wong has decided to conclude her 2026 season following her performance at the Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, as she focuses on recovery and preparation for next year’s Southeast Asian (SEA) Games. The 26-year-old athlete from Sarawak recorded a season-best throw of 64.15 meters at the Nagoya City Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium on Tuesday, finishing sixth in the competition.

While the distance marked an improvement from her earlier 61.98 meters at the Malaysian Open, it fell short of her personal best and national record of 65.41 meters. Wong had previously withdrawn from the Commonwealth Games to prioritise her recovery and arrive at the Asian Games in better condition.

Reflecting on her performance, Wong acknowledged the challenges she faced during the season. “I did my personal best but not happy that I could not break my national record again,” she said. She suggested that factors such as weather conditions and the limited time to return to competition may have contributed to her off form. Despite this, she expressed determination to move forward and enhance her performance.

Wong confirmed that the Nagoya Asian Games would be her final competition this year. She plans to return to Ningxia, China, to train under coach Gu Yuan, focusing particularly on strengthening her calf through rehabilitation and physiotherapy. She aims to be fully fit for the 2027 SEA Games, which will be held in Malaysia.

Her goals for the upcoming season include defending the gold medal she secured at the previous SEA Games in Thailand and attempting to surpass her national record once again. Wong emphasized the importance of rest and recovery in her plan to build towards a stronger competitive return next year.

This strategic pause marks a pivotal moment in Wong’s career as she balances the demands of high-level competition with the need for optimal physical health to sustain and improve her performance in future events.