KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 23 — Malaysia’s men’s and women’s teams were crowned world champions early yesterday morning at the Dodgeball World Championships in Ontario, Canada.

The women, who are defending champions, beat Australia 7-5 in the final while the boys overcame the hoodoo of finishing second in 2015 and 2016 to beat hosts Canada 8-6 at Markham Pan Am Centre.

The win makes Malaysia only the second country to win both titles in the same year. The US did it in 2015.

The women finished the group fourth (alongside the US, Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Mexico and Italy). They lost three and won three, narrowly missing the top four but in the semifinals clawed a victory over the US 7-6.

"Super proud of the girls to be able to defend our title,” said captain Janelle Chong Hwei Xian. "After a year of preparation, it’s really paid off.”

The men went undefeated in eight games. Finishing second twice, and so to win it in style was testament of the team’s character to be the best in a sport made famous by Hollywood comedic giant Ben Stiller’s 2004 movie Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story.

"I’m speechless, too excited,” said men’s team captain Robert Ng Chee Keong. "We’ve worked very hard, overcome obstacles, taken time off our lives to become champions. We’re proud to win this for Malaysia,” added the 27-year-old.

The trip to Canada was only partially funded. "We really need private and government sectors to fund us,” said Robert.