KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 23 — Malaysia has reached the halfway mark of its six-gold target at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games after collecting three gold and five bronze medals so far.

National Sports Council (NSC) director-general Jefri Ngadirin said the three gold medals had given the Malaysian contingent strong momentum, but cautioned athletes against becoming complacent with many events still to come.

He reminded the athletes that each had an opportunity to contribute to the national contingent.

“Congratulations to all the athletes who have contributed medals to the country. This proves that their hard work, together with their coaches, associations and the entire support team behind them, has paid off.

“Every point, every second and every opportunity matters. We want to see all our athletes give their best, fight until the very end and carry the Malaysian spirit into every competition,” he said in a statement today.

Jefri also called on Malaysians to continue supporting and praying for the national athletes competing in Aichi-Nagoya.

Malaysia’s first gold was delivered by karate exponent Adeola Fay Robert, who won the women’s under-55kg individual kumite event yesterday.

Today, esports athlete Taj Izrin Aiman Taj Madira secured the country’s second gold with victory in the Gran Turismo 7 eRacing event, while karate exponent Shahmalarani Chandran added Malaysia’s third gold in the women’s under-50kg individual kumite.

Malaysia has also bagged five bronze medals, each by Thevendran Kaliana Sundram in the men’s under-55kg individual kumite, Sureeya Shankar Hari Shankar in the men’s under-60kg individual kumite, the men’s team kata squad, Tan Cheong Min in the women’s nanquan and nandao wushu event, and Clement Ting Su Wei in the men’s daoshu and gunshu wushu event. — Bernama