HANGZHOU: The national contingent's haul of six gold, eight silver and 18 bronze at the Hangzhou Asian Games — the first post-pandemic Asiad — is a satisfactory achievement.
National athletes won 32 medals in total, surpassing the 27 medal target (of any colour) that had been set by the Sports Ministry.
Karate exponent Arif Affifuddin Abdul Malik's victory yesterday completed the nation's medal haul.
The contingent's performance in Hangzhou roughly matches what Malaysia achieved at the 2002 Busan games (6-18-16).
It, however, fell short of the nation's best-ever showing at the 2010 Guangzhou games (9-17-17).
Malaysia's performance in Hangzhou showed that a number of national athletes are still struggling to rediscover their best form after Covid-19.
Among the sports in question are badminton, men's hockey and diving.
Diving delivered one silver and four bronze thanks to seniors such as Pandelela Rinong, Nur Dhabitah Sabri and Wendy Ng. The latter is retiring from the sport.
The men's hockey squad were eyeing gold, which would have qualified them for next year's Paris Olympics, but ended the competition a disappointing sixth.
In badminton, former world champions Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik's bronze medal saved the squad from going home empty-handed.
On a more positive note, the athletics squad did well to win three bronzes via Azeem Fahmi (men's 100m), Shereen Samson Vallabouy (women's 400m) and the women's 4x100m relay.
It was the first time Malaysia had won a medal in the men's 100m event in 41 years.
The squash squad were the biggest contributors for Malaysia with three gold, one silver and one bronze in Hangzhou.
They have consistently contributed medals at the Asian Games over the years. However, it must be noted that squash is not an Olympic sport.
Only two Olympic sports — equestrian and sailing — delivered gold medals for Malaysia in Hangzhou which leaves plenty of question marks about the direction Malaysian sports is heading.
At 43, it is unknown how much longer dressage gold medallist Qabil Ambak Fathil will continue. It costs a lot to compete in the sport.
The Equestrian Association of Malaysia (EAM) had spent roughly RM100,000 to transport Qabil's horse Rosenstolz to compete in China.
Sailor Nur Shazrin Latif, whose gold medal qualified her for Paris, is hoping to get more overseas training and competition exposure before the Olympics.
Meanwhile, China continue to go from strength to strength, topping the medal table with an astounding 200-111-71 haul.
Hangzhou Asian Games assessment by sport:
Exemplary:
1. Squash
2. Athletics
3. Esports
4. Sailing
5. Equestrian
6. Gymnastics
7. Karate
Satisfactory:
1. Diving
2. Women's hockey
3. Sepak takraw
4. Kabaddi
5. Track cycling
6. Wushu
Underperformers:
1. Men's hockey
2. Badminton
3. Taekwondo
4. Swimming
5. Basketball 3 on 3
6. Boxing
7. Cricket
8. Shooting
9. Go
10. Xiangqi
11. Archery
12. Rugby
