Checkmate! Malaysian Pair Clinch Gold After Opponents Withdraw Protest

From Farah Najihah Zuraimi

JAKARTA, Aug 24 (Bernama) -- National chess mixed doubles pair Loo Pin Xie and Ainnur Asyikin Jupineh overcame tense moments before officially clinching the gold medal at the 2025 Southeast Asian (SEA) Deaf Games after their opponents withdrew a protest lodged against their victory at a hotel here today.

Malaysia Deaf Sports Association (MSDeaf) president Ong Shin Ruenn said the protest, filed by the Indonesian and Thai contingents, questioned Ainnur Asyikin's status as a deaf athlete.

Fortunately, the Malaysian contingent provided valid documentation from the International Committee of Sports for the Deaf (ICSD), along with official test results, confirming her status, leading to both teams withdrawing their protests.

"This is nothing new because Ainnur Asyikin faced a similar protest at an Asia Pacific competition last year. The misunderstanding stemmed from her ability to speak and use sign language, albeit not fluently.

"Although she can speak a little, the ICSD still recognises her as a deaf athlete. There is no issue with her classification,” he told Bernama and RTM here today.

According to Shin Ruenn, all Malaysian athletes have undergone tests at government hospitals and received official ICSD certification.

He also stressed that the use of hearing aids is strictly prohibited during the competition to ensure fairness.

Shin Ruenn said the national contingent had, so far, clinched 18 gold medals, proving that national deaf athletes can shine on the international arena if given sufficient support.

"The RM3 million previously allocated was fully utilised for full-time training. We hope the government and the Ministry of Youth and Sports will continue to provide dedicated funding for MSDeaf,” he added.

Earlier, Pin Xie-Ainnur Asyikin ended the mixed rapid event with three convincing wins over three teams - one from Thailand and two from Indonesia - to emerge as champions.

-- BERNAMA