Malaysian basketball player Sammi Tan is undertaking a challenging dual role at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, representing her country in both the women’s 5x5 and 3x3 basketball competitions. The 21-year-old forward, standing 5 feet 9 inches tall, is competing at Kinjo Futo Station Square, balancing the demands of two different formats in the regional multi-sport event.

Tan acknowledged the intense pressure that comes with competing in multiple disciplines but emphasized her commitment to blocking out distractions to focus on her performance. “I’ve doubted myself and lost confidence a lot in the past,” she said, highlighting the mental resilience required at this stage of her career. She added that patience and concentrating on the game have become key parts of her approach.

Her journey has not been without setbacks. Tan has endured a history of injuries, including meniscus surgery two years ago, and generally struggled with physical setbacks ahead of important competitions. These experiences have shaped her current mindset of appreciating every opportunity to play basketball at a high level. “Now I just want to enjoy the opportunity and give my best to represent Malaysia,” she stated.

Prior to the Asian Games, Tan helped secure a silver medal for the Negri Sembilan team at the Malaysia Games (Sukma) held last month, demonstrating her ongoing form and competitive experience.

Malaysia’s women’s basketball teams are competing in Pool C for both formats. The 3x3 squad will face Macau and Mongolia as their opening matches. Meanwhile, the 5x5 team will play their final Group C match against Mongolia, a game crucial for their progression. The 5x5 team’s campaign has seen two heavy defeats, losing 40-106 to Korea and 59-98 to Chinese Taipei, leaving the match against Mongolia as their only opportunity to qualify for the quarter-finals.

As Malaysia battles to advance in the tournament, Tan’s dual participation highlights her determination to contribute across both disciplines despite the physical and mental demands. The upcoming encounters will be critical for the national teams' hopes at the Asian Games.