Jumbo Delight For Squash With Double Gold Strike

From Ahmad Nazrin Syahmi Mohamad Arif

BANGKOK, Dec 17 (Bernama) -- The national squash squad lived up to expectations by claiming two gold medals in the men’s and mixed jumbo doubles events at the 2025 Thailand SEA Games at Vajiravudh College here today.

The first gold came through the pairing of Harith Danial Jefri–Sehveettrraa Kumar, who defeated the Philippines’ Jonathan Reyes–Aerra JC Mae Relano 2-0 (11-5, 11-2), delivering the first gold medal for the national squash camp at this edition of the biennial Games.

Harith Danial later secured his second personal gold in the men’s jumbo doubles event, partnering Low Wa Sern to overcome the Philippine duo of Reyes and Christopher Buraga 2-1 (11-4, 8-11, 11-5).

The jumbo doubles event retains a format similar to other doubles events but is played on a wider and longer court, placing greater demands on the players’ endurance.

This marks the first time Malaysia has fielded representatives in the jumbo doubles events, including mixed jumbo doubles, as squash offers only four gold medals at this edition, in addition to the men’s and women’s singles events.

Squash was not contested at the previous two SEA Games editions, in 2021 in Vietnam and 2023 in Cambodia, making its return in Thailand particularly meaningful for Malaysia.

The last time the sport was contested was at the 2019 SEA Games in the Philippines, where Malaysia dominated by winning four gold, one silver and one bronze medal.

Malaysia still have representatives in the women’s and men’s singles events, who advanced to the quarter-finals today, with national athletes including Noor Ainaa Amani Ampadi, Yee Xin Ying, Sanjay Jeeva and Duncan Lee expected to have little trouble securing places in the semi-finals scheduled for tomorrow.

-- BERNAMA