SHAH ALAM, Aug 21 — State karate athlete N. Haretashni bounced back from her disappointment in the semi-finals to win the bronze medal in the Women's Individual Kumite 50kg event at the 2026 Malaysia Games (SUKMA) today.
Competing at the IDEAL Convention Centre, she secured a place on the podium after defeating her opponent 3-0 in the bronze-medal bout.
Haretashni, who had initially targeted gold, admitted she was slightly disappointed after losing to a tough opponent in the semi-finals.
“My main target was gold, but I faced a very tough opponent in the semi-finals. However, I bounced back in the bronze-medal bout and managed to contribute a medal to Selangor,” she told Media Selangor.
The bronze was Selangor's first medal in karate on the opening day of the event at SUKMA 2026.
This year's Games also mark Haretashni's final appearance at SUKMA, although her campaign is not yet over as she is scheduled to compete in the Team Kumite event this Sunday (August 23).
Meanwhile, she thanked the coaching staff and teammates for their support throughout her preparations for SUKMA 2026.
The Selangor karate squad will look to maintain its positive momentum and challenge for gold in the team event, adding to the state's medal tally.
