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Malaysia has set itself a 200-medal target at the 33rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Thailand, which is taking place from 9 to 20 December
The Malaysian contingent is scheduled to compete in all 50 sports at the 2025 SEA Games, fielding a total of 1,142 athletes.
At the previous edition in Phnom Penh in 2023, Malaysia finished seventh overall after winning 34 gold, 45 silver, and 97 bronze medals from a 676-strong team. This time, expectations are higher.
According to Bernama, National Sports Council director-general Jefri Ngadirin said a top-five finish is realistic for the Malaysian team this year, especially with key sports such as squash, tenpin bowling, and track cycling returning to the programme.
The 2025 SEA Games officially opened at the Rajamangala National Stadium yesterday, 9 December.
Image via Bernama
Here are the Malaysian athletes to watch at the 2025 SEA Games:
1. Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei, and Pearly Tan-M Thinaah (Badminton)
The spotlight will undoubtedly fall on badminton, featuring a star-studded lineup including 2022 men’s doubles world champions Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, 2025 mixed doubles world champions Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei, and 2025 World Championship women’s doubles runners-up Pearly Tan-M Thinaah.
The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) hopes to secure four gold medals across all categories.
Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik.
Image via Aswadi Alias/New Straits Times
Chen Tang Jie and Toh Ee Wei.
Image via AFP/New Straits Times
Thinaah Muralitharan and Pearly Tan.
Image via Reuters/New Straits Times
2. Khiew Hoe Yean (Swimming, Men’s 200m/400m Freestyle)
Khiew will once again be the nation’s best gold-medal hope as a two-time defending champion in the men’s 200m freestyle. He has also been impressing over 400m this season.
3. Muhammad Ridwan Sahrom (Track Cycling, Sprint/Keirin)
With track cycling ace Muhammad Shah Firdaus Sahrom sidelined by a knee injury, Malaysia’s men’s keirin hopes now rest on his younger brother, Muhammad Ridwan, who is expected to lead the nation’s charge for gold.
Ridwan is also set to compete in the team sprint alongside Muhammad Fadhil Zonis and Mohd Akmal Nazimi Jusena.
4. Rafiq Ismail and Sin Li Jane (Tenpin Bowling)
As bowling makes its return to the SEA Games, the spotlight will be on world champions Rafiq Ismail and Sin Li Jane, who headline Malaysia’s eight-member squad.
Together, the pair have claimed 12 previous SEA Games gold medals, seven for Rafiq and five for Li Jane, and will be hoping to add more golds to their tally this year.
5. Irfan Shamsuddin (Athletics, Discus)
Irfan Shamsuddin hopes to win his seventh consecutive discus gold in 14 years.
6. Andre Anura Anuar (Athletics, Triple Jump)
The triple jump athlete was named Malaysia’s flag bearer at the opening ceremony and will be aiming to defend the gold medals he won at the past two SEA Games.
7. Grace Wong Xiu Mei (Athletics, Hammer Throw)
Another veteran, Grace Wong, will be counted on to defend her title in Bangkok, especially after just shattering her own national record at the Malaysian Open Athletics Championships in August.
8. Umar Osman (Athletics, Men’s 400m)
Umar Osman is also expected to remain a gold medal contender, having won the men’s 400m at the previous Games in Phnom Penh.
9. Sanjay Jeeva (Squash, Men’s Singles)
With squash making its return to the SEA Games in Thailand, Malaysia is aiming to sweep all four gold medals.
In the men’s singles, the spotlight is on world No. 67 Sanjay Jeeva, who recently won the Open International Niort Venise Verte in Bessines, France.
10. Ainaa Amani Ampandi (Squash, Women’s Singles)
For the women’s singles, world No. 60 Ainaa Amani Ampandi is Malaysia’s top gold medal hope.
11. Aniq Kasdan (Weightlifting, Under 60kg)
Having finished fourth at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Aniq Kasdan is targeting gold at the SEA Games.
12. Shahmalarani Chandran (Karate)
After earning a silver medal at her World Championships debut in Cairo last month, Shahmalarani Chandran hopes to end the season on a high by securing a third SEA Games gold, following her victories in Hanoi 2021 and Phnom Penh 2023.
13. Tan Cheong Min (Wushu)
Tan Cheong Min recently bagged two golds and a silver at the 2025 World Championships in Brazil, and is expected to defend her gold medals in the nanquan and nandao/nangun combined events at the SEA Games.
Hope also rests on other sports, including football, hockey, sepak takraw, silat, shooting, archery, equestrian, golf, gymnastics, cricket, snooker, field hockey, and e-sports
With a larger contingent, returning medal-heavy sports, and a mix of proven champions and rising talent, Malaysia is aiming to reassert itself as one of the SEA Games’ top contenders.
Check out the schedule for the 2025 SEA Games here.