MUHAMMAD Arif Afifuddin Ab Malik delivered Malaysia’s sixth gold medal yesterday, the 14th day of the Hangzhou Asian Games in China. 

The 23-year-old, who had been carrying a lower back and rib injury, upset World Championship bronze medallist Daniyar Yuldashev of Kazakhstan 10-4 in the below 84kg kumite final. 

Earlier, Malaysia’s dream of retaining the inter-regu gold medal was dashed after the world takraw powerhouse lost 0-2 to Thailand in the final.

National rhythmic gymnast Ng Joe Ee, 17, gave a commendable showing despite having to perform with injuries to end the competition in  the 11th spot in the final of the women’s individual all-around event.

The women’s hockey team chalked up a narrow 2-1 win over Thailand in the fifth and sixth classification match to make it into the 2024 Olympic qualifiers in Changzhou and Valencia early next year.

Yesterday’s results saw Malaysia in 14th place with a haul of six gold, eight silver and 18 bronze medals. 

Host China set a new benchmark with 200 gold medals, in addition to 111 silver and 71 bronze. 

In the 2018 Jakarta-Palembang Games, Malaysia completed the tournament in 14th position with a 7-13-16 medal tally.  Their best performance was in the 2010 Guangzhou games when they finished with 41 medals to be placed 10th. 

Malaysia have the chance to add one more medal tomorrow through karate exponent C. Shahmalarani, who will be compete in the below 50kg women’s kumite event, before the Games come to a close. – Bernama, October 8, 2023.