Two Malaysian athletes win gold at SUKMA 2026 in silambam and badminton
Nur Aleesya Zahierah Sali converted a previous silver into gold in silambam, while badminton player Muhammad Haziq Mohd Najib also claimed SUKMA gold.
At the 2026 SUKMA Games, two Malaysian athletes claimed gold medals in separate disciplines, with both victories carrying personal significance beyond the podium. Nur Aleesya Zahierah Sali won gold in silambam — a traditional Indian martial art — improving on a silver medal she had previously earned at the same competition. Muhammad Haziq Mohd Najib, representing Selangor, took gold in badminton and indicated the win supports his ambition to return to the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM). SUKMA, the Sukan Malaysia Games, is Malaysia's national multi-sport competition for athletes representing their respective states.
Why it matters
The results highlight the development of both niche traditional sports like silambam and mainstream competitive sports at the state level in Malaysia. For Haziq, a SUKMA gold medal could be a stepping stone back into the national badminton programme.
What's next
Muhammad Haziq's SUKMA gold may bolster his case for selection or reinstatement to the Badminton Association of Malaysia's national squad.
Key facts
- Nur Aleesya Zahierah Sali won gold in silambam at SUKMA 2026, upgrading a previous silver medal
- Muhammad Haziq Mohd Najib won gold in badminton representing Selangor at SUKMA
- Haziq stated his SUKMA gold supports his bid to return to the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM)
- Both results were reported by Malaysian national news agency Bernama
- SUKMA is Malaysia's national multi-sport games contested between state contingents
Bias & framing notes
Both sources are from the same outlet, Bernama, Malaysia's official national news agency, which provides reliable factual reporting on domestic sports. However, the source articles contained very limited detail — key specifics such as match scores, competition dates, and Haziq's prior BAM history were not included in the available reporting, limiting the depth of this summary.
NewsClear — neutral news & congressional tracking · Bill of the Week