SERDANG, Aug 19 — Selangor's young runner Shayathiri Ratnam enjoyed a memorable Malaysia Games (SUKMA) 2026 debut after clinching silver in the women's 10,000m on the fourth day of athletics competition at Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) Stadium this morning.
The 16-year-old completed the 25-lap race in 41 minutes 30.790 seconds, setting a new personal best in the process.
The gold medal went to the Federal Territories, while Sabah took bronze.
Despite admitting to feeling nervous before the race, Shayathiri managed to steady herself and maintain a consistent pace all the way to the finish line.
“I was nervous at first because this is my first SUKMA, but I managed to calm myself down and produce my best run to win a silver medal for Selangor.
“I would like to thank my coaches and teammates because they have always motivated me to run better,” she told Media Selangor.
The achievement also underlined the young athlete's potential, with Shayathiri improving her personal best in her first appearance at the country's biggest multi-sport Games.
Her coaches, Narinder Singh and Arul Thever, described the achievement as a positive start for Shayathiri, particularly given that she is only 16.
“To be able to compete at this level and break her personal best at the age of 16 certainly makes us proud of her.
“She still has a long journey ahead, and we hope this will be the beginning of an even better career,” they said.
After delivering silver in the 10,000m, Shayathiri will now turn her attention to the 5,000m tomorrow, hoping to carry her momentum into the event and secure another medal for the Selangor contingent.
