TOYOHASHI: Sept 23, 2026 — National women’s karate star C. Shahmalarani delivered Malaysia’s third gold medal at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games today.
Shahmalarani, 27, defeated Hong Kong’s Tsang Yee Ting on a unanimous judges’ decision, or hantei, after both athletes were tied 0-0 in the women’s Kumite Under-55kg final.
In the semi-finals, Shahmalarani beat Uzbek star Gulshan Alimardanova 3-2 before overcoming Tsang in the final.
The win completed a redemption mission after her disappointment at the previous Hangzhou Asian Games.
Outside the arena, Shahmalarani has an academic background in Actuarial Science.
The 27-year-old is a First Class Bachelor’s Degree graduate in Actuarial Science from Taylor’s University and holds a Master of Science in Actuarial Science from Sunway University.
Shahmalarani is also active as an Additional Mathematics educator and is the author of the formula book Maths Mastery Tools for SPM students.
The gold adds to Shahmalarani’s list of achievements after winning three SEA Games golds in 2021, 2023 and 2025 in the 50kg category, besides finishing as runner-up at the 2025 World Karate Championships in Cairo.
Shahmalarani’s success continues the national karate squad’s contribution after Adeola Fay Robert delivered Malaysia’s first gold at the Games today.
