The Sabah karate squad has made history at the 34th Makaf Under-14, Cadet, Junior, and Under-21 (Pre-Sukma) Karate Championships held in Klang, Selangor. The contingent did more than just defend their overall title for the fourth year in a row; they shattered their own association record for the highest number of gold medals ever won in the tournament.

Sabah delivered an outstanding performance, securing a total of 22 gold, 12 silver, and 18 bronze medals to emerge as the undisputed overall champions. This achievement is particularly significant as it surpasses the team’s previous gold medal record of 19, which was established back in 2019.

The victory was hard-earned, as the squad competed against more than 1,000 athletes from over 20 teams across the country. Sabah’s massive haul placed them well ahead of the competition:

• Selangor Karate-Do Association finished in a distant second place with 5 gold, 5 silver, and 9 bronze medals.
• Johor Karate Association took the third spot on the podium with 4 gold, 2 silver, and 5 bronze medals.

Sabah Karate Association (SKA) Secretary General Julian Chin expressed his delight with the historic results, noting that the team is on the right track for the upcoming Malaysia Games (Sukma). While celebrating the 22-gold milestone, Chin emphasized that there is still work to be done to maintain this momentum for future national challenges.

The success of these young exponents—ranging from the Under-14 categories to the Under-21 Pre-Sukma level—highlights Sabah’s continued status as a powerhouse in Malaysian martial arts.