Malaysia’s men’s sepak takraw team secured the gold medal at the Asian Games, ending Thailand’s 30-year dominance in the event. The victory, achieved at the Nagoya City Mizuho Park Gymnasium on September 25, was dedicated to injured teammate Noraizat Nordin, who was forced to withdraw from the competition a day before it began due to an injury sustained during training.

Despite concerns over Noraizat’s absence, the Malaysian squad performed strongly to defeat their arch-rivals Thailand 2-0 in the final. In the opening match, the trio of Syahir Rosdi, Mohd Azlan Alias, and Farhan Adam overcame Thailand’s Phutawan Sopa, Pornthep Tinbangbon, and Marukin Phanmakon with scores of 15-9, 5-15, and 15-11. Syahir displayed a personal tribute by wearing a headband bearing Noraizat’s initials, “NN,” throughout the match.

The Malaysian team secured the gold medal with a second victory, as Zulkifli Razak, Affuddin Razali, and Aidil Aiman Zawawi triumphed over Thai players Kamsanor Wuttinun, Sapyen Tanaphon, and Nontakote Kritsanapong by 15-13 and 15-10 in the final regu.

Speaking after the match, Syahir Rosdi emphasized that the team carried Noraizat’s spirit throughout the tournament. “It was unfortunate that he could not fight alongside us, but we asked him to pray for us so that we could win this together as a team,” Syahir said. He added that the team’s determination and focus on competing rather than the scoreline were key to their success.

National coach Ahmad Jais Baharun, who was a member of the last Malaysian squad to win the men’s team gold at the 1990 Asian Games in Beijing, expressed pride in coaching the team to a similar achievement. The win provided a strong response to critics, following Malaysia’s World Cup win in Kuala Lumpur earlier this year, which was marred by controversy when five Thai players refused to continue during the final.

Further elevating the team’s profile, Jais announced that the national sepak takraw team will henceforth be known as The Golden Tigers, a nickname inspired by other Malaysian national teams such as the Harimau Malaya in football and the Speedy Tigers in hockey.

With this landmark victory, Malaysia continues to dominate the sport, having previously clinched the Asian Cup and other major titles in sepak takraw. The team’s success marks a significant milestone in their ongoing rivalry with Thailand on the Asian sports stage.