Squash: Wa Sern Reaps Reward From Joachim’s Guidance With First SUKMA Gold

PETALING JAYA, Aug 18 (Bernama) -- Perak’s Low Wa Sern clinched his first Malaysia Games (SUKMA) squash gold medal today, with guidance from former men’s singles champion Joachim Chuah helping him overcome home player M. Nickhileswar in the men’s singles final.

Playing in his third SUKMA, the 19-year-old defeated Nickhileswar 11-6, 11-8, 11-2 at the Kompleks Sukan Astaka Majlis Bandaraya Petaling Jaya (MBPJ).

The Ipoh-born player, who is based in the United States (US) and studies at Trinity College in Connecticut, said the victory marked a significant milestone after he won bronze at the previous edition in Sarawak.

Wa Sern credited Joachim, whom he met while studying in the US, for helping him raise his game as he continues his transition to the senior level.

“I want to be as good as the big guys like a lot of people that I look up to, especially Joachim. He has been pushing me a lot on court and advising me a lot, just try to make me reach that level. But I feel like I'm almost there but not quite there yet,” he told reporters following his victory.

Wa Sern also paid tribute to his family as well as his coaches and Perak State Sports Council for their support throughout his development.

Federal Territories’ Muhammad Raziq Putra Mohd Fakhrur Razi took the men’s singles bronze after defeating Terengganu’s Jayden Oon 13-11, 9-11, 10-12, 11-8, 11-1.

Meanwhile, U. Thanusaa delivered the women’s singles gold for Melaka after defeating Kedah’s K. Sehveetrraa 11-7, 13-11, 11-7.

Thanusaa, 20, said her parents had been her source of inspiration and expressed hope of following in the footsteps of national number one S. Sivasangari and squash legend Datuk Nicol Ann David.

In the women’s singles bronze medal match, Negeri Sembilan’s Harleein Tan defeated Sarawak’s Whitney Isabelle Wilson 11-5, 11-2, 1-11, 11-6.

SUKMA Selangor 2026, which began last Saturday, will run until Aug 24.

-- BERNAMA