NAGOYA, Sept 22 — Action on the third day of the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games yesterday saw the Malaysian contingent continue their challenge in several major sports, with the men’s badminton squad stealing the spotlight after advancing to the quarterfinals of the team event.
Malaysia opened their men’s team badminton campaign with a 3-0 victory over Mongolia at the Ichinomiya City Municipal Gymnasium, delivered by singles player Leong Jun Hao, the pair of Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Mohd Rumsani, and singles player Justin Hoh.
However, that victory paves the way for a much tougher test as Malaysia is scheduled to face Indonesia in the quarterfinals today, marking one of the most anticipated encounters for the national contingent on day four.
In swimming, the men’s 4x200-meter (m) freestyle quartet comprising Khiew Hoe Yean, Arvin Shaun Singh Chahal, Lim Yin Chuen, and Tan Khai Xin also stole the spotlight by breaking the national record in the final, despite finishing fifth.
Nevertheless, the challenges of three national swimmers in their respective individual events ended in the heats, with Andrew Goh failing to advance in the 100m breaststroke, while Yin Chuen and Tong Yu Jin were also eliminated in the 50m freestyle.
Meanwhile, Malaysia’s challenges in wushu and karate yesterday have yet to yield any medals, as Lee Jia Rong and Loh Ying Ting finished 10th and 11th respectively in the women’s changquan event, while Mohamad Haznil Henry lost in the men’s kata bronze medal playoff and Zakiah Adnan was eliminated in the women’s under-61kg kumite repechage.
Attention now shifts to day four today, with the men’s team badminton quarterfinal match against Indonesia standing out as one of the primary anticipated events.
In addition, the swimming competition will return to the spotlight with several final events, while national athletes in several other sports will continue their pursuit of advancing to the next rounds and securing podium opportunities. — Bernama
