SUKMA 2026: Selangor, Johor Battle For ‘Mother Of All Medals’

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 21 (Bernama) -- Hosts Selangor and Johor will battle for the men’s football gold medal in tomorrow’s Malaysia Games (SUKMA) Selangor 2026 final, with the clash at the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) Stadium expected to be the highlight of the Games.

The match, scheduled for 8.30 pm, pits two sides who reached the final in style after recording identical 4-0 semi-final victories, with Selangor defeating Pahang and Johor overcoming Perak.

The final also presents an opportunity for a new champion to be crowned after defending champions Federal Territories were eliminated earlier in the tournament.

Selangor are aiming to end a 28-year wait for the gold, having last won the title in 1998 after claiming their maiden championship in 1988, while Johor are seeking their first-ever SUKMA football title.

Meanwhile, Selangor swimmer Shannon Tan stole the spotlight today after breaking the Games record three times and winning two gold medals at the Darul Ehsan Aquatic Centre in Shah Alam.

The 15-year-old twice lowered the women’s 200-metre butterfly Games record, first clocking 2 minutes 15.77 seconds in the heats before improving it to 2:15.13 in the final to claim gold.

Shannon then teamed up with Khew Zi Xian, Chong Yi Yuan and Eliza Ai Shen Tan to win the women’s 4x100m freestyle relay gold in a new Games record of 3:54.54.

Earlier at the same venue, Sarawak’s Awang Sharzan Nasrin Awang Nasaruddin and Elvis Priestley Clement pulled off a surprise victory in the men’s synchronised three-metre springboard.

The pair accumulated 333.90 points to edge 2025 SEA Games gold medallists from Federal Territories Nurqayyum Nazmi Mohamad Nazim and Yong Rui Jie, who scored 331.11 points.

At the Dewan Canselor Tun Abdul Razak, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Bangi, national gymnast Cadence Teh Zi Qi also enjoyed a golden day, winning two golds after retaining the women’s individual all-around title and helping Selangor triumph in the team event.

At the National Valuation Institute (INSPEN) Stadium in Bangi, 17-year-old Miri-born Sarawak archer Wee Yee Qi also enjoyed a dream debut, winning gold in the women’s compound team and mixed events after switching from recurve late last year.

Selangor meanwhile strengthened their grip on the overall title race, sitting atop the medal standings with 60 gold, 51 silver and 43 bronze medals, ahead of second-placed Terengganu (34-32-27) and Federal Territories in third (31-32-30), with three days remaining before the Games close next Monday.

-- BERNAMA