Malaysia sepak takraw Asian Games medal targets

The Malaysia Sepaktakraw Federation (PSM) has adjusted its medal objectives for the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games. Initially, PSM President and Malaysian Chef de Mission Datuk Mohd Sumali Reduan stated a target of at least one gold medal, noting that two would be a significant bonus.

Following the squad’s success as the 2026 World Cup champions, the target was increased to two gold medals, specifically focusing on the regu and team events. Reduan noted that the team is in peak condition with strong mental resilience. He highlighted the ambition to end a more than 30-year wait for a gold medal in the regu event, a milestone last reached in Palembang. Despite this confidence, officials acknowledged intense competition from regional rivals including Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Myanmar, and Laos.

As the games approach, the squad is facing increased pressure due to heightened public expectations and the new two-gold target. Head Coach Ahmad Jais Baharun noted that Reduan’s dual role as PSM President and Chef De Mission has added to the weight of responsibility on the players. To prevent overwhelming the athletes, the coaching staff views a single gold medal as the primary target, treating a second as a bonus. The team is currently conducting opponent analyses, noting that while Thailand remains a major competitor, other nations are showing significant improvement.

Malaysia opened its Asian Games campaign with a 3-0 victory over host nation Japan at the Nagoya City Gymnasium, securing the top spot in Group B. The first and second regus won in straight sets, while the third regu recovered from a first-set loss to win 15-5 and 15-6. The squad now prepares to face India and the Philippines, aiming for its first Asian Games team gold since 1990.