Pahang shooter Cheah Zen Hong reflects on his nine-gold SUKMA 2026 haul and reveals plans to chase a senior career and Olympic dream.
AFTER being crowned the Best Male Athlete of the 2026 Selangor Malaysia Games (SUKMA), national shooter Cheah Zen Hong does not want to spend too much time celebrating his success. Instead, he is setting his sights on a bigger goal: becoming an Olympian.
Zen Hong, 20, said the recognition has motivated him to raise his performance level, particularly after making his final SUKMA appearance with nine gold medals, one silver medal and two new Games records.
The Pahang athlete said there was no time for an extended break, as bigger challenges lie ahead, including pursuing the opportunity to compete at the Olympic Games, which he described as the biggest dream of his career.
“The Olympics are one of my dreams, a very big dream. So I will continue working hard to achieve it.
“I know there will be more obstacles that I will face from now on. All I can do is continue to overcome whatever obstacles that lie ahead,” he said when met after receiving the award at the closing ceremony of the 22nd SUKMA here last night.
Asked about his plans, Cheah said his phase as a junior athlete has now ended and he wants to take a more serious approach to testing his abilities at a higher level.
He said his focus now is to build his reputation as a senior athlete and subsequently earn a place in the Podium Programme, which would open up more opportunities to gain exposure at international competitions.
“I am currently in the Pelapis Programme. For me, salary is not the main thing. I just want to do my best, and if possible, finish on the podium. That would mean I can get more exposure in competitions overseas.
Zen Hong was named the Best Male Athlete of 2026 SUKMA with his haul of nine golds and one silver, which improved on his personal achievement of seven gold medals at SUKMA Sarawak 2024.
He won gold in the 10m air pistol, 10m air pistol team, 10m air pistol mixed team, 25m rapid-fire pistol, 25m sport pistol, 25m sport pistol team, 25m standard pistol team, 50m pistol and 50m pistol team.
His achievement saw him edge out several other standout athletes, including Federal Territories swimmer Muhammad Dhuha Zulfikry, who won five gold medals, another Pahang shooter with four golds, and a Selangor swimmer who also collected four gold medals.
