Tang Jie-Ee Wei anchor historic 2025 for Malaysian sports

KUALA LUMPUR: Mixed doubles Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei's World Championship title in Paris anchored a year of historic breakthroughs in Malaysian sports.

Tang Jie-Ee Wei defeated China's Jiang Zhen Bang-Wei Ya Xin in the final in Paris to become Malaysia's first world champions in the category — the country's second world title after Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik's 2022 victory.

The win was particularly surprising as the pair had briefly separated in March before reuniting in June.

In another historic Paris feat, Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah became the first Malaysian women's pair to reach a World Championship final, finishing runners-up to China's Liu Sheng Shu-Tan Ning. Pearly-Thinaah also secured three World Tour titles at the Thailand Open, Arctic Open and Kumamoto Masters.

Under national men's doubles coach Herry Iman Pierngadi, Aaron-Wooi Yik won the Asian Championship, Thailand Open, and Singapore Open.

Herry, nicknamed the "Fire Dragon," also guided Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun to the Malaysia Masters title, the first Malaysian men's pair to win in that event since 2013.

Conversely, national singles players struggled.

A back injury forced Lee Zii Jia to miss several events, while coaching director Kenneth Jonassen has yet to see a turnaround in Leong Jun Hao.

Jun Hao suffered early exits in 18 tournaments this year.

In athletics, sprinter Azeem Fahmi's performances remained stagnant with a season-best of 10.20s, short of his 10.09s national record.

National 400m champion Umar Osman also finished last in his World Championship heat in Japan with a time of 46.43s.

The national diving squad took five silver and one bronze at the Asian Championships but went medal-less at the Singapore World Championships.

In the pool, Khiew Hoe Yean won bronze in the 400m freestyle and the 4x200m freestyle relay in Ahmedabad.

Other highlights included cycling's Shah Firdaus Sahrom winning keirin gold at the Nations Cup in Turkey, and the sepak takraw team topping two events at the Asian Cup.

The lawn bowls squad emerged as overall World Cup champions, led by Emma Firyana Saroji's singles title.

The year was also marked by a dispute between para-badminton champion Cheah Liek Hou and the Malaysian Paralympic Council (MPC) over a RM60,000 incentive.

Then Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh eventually intervened to clarify the claim was not a disciplinary issue, and Liek Hou maintained his world No. 1 ranking with five titles.

In leadership transitions, Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz was appointed Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) president in May, replacing Tan Sri Norza Zakaria.

Norza was re-elected unopposed as Olympic Council of Malaysia president for a third term.

The national contingent ended the year on a high at the Thailand SEA Games, winning 57 gold, 57 silver, and 117 bronze medals.

The 231-medal haul was Malaysia's most successful SEA Games performance held outside Kuala Lumpur.