Malaysia’s Kickboxing team wrapped up a gritty campaign at the ISKA Indonesia Open 2026, capturing a total of two gold and four silver medals in a fierce display of martial arts prowess in the tournament that was held in Jakarta.

While the final haul fell just short of the team’s lofty internal benchmarks, the showing has solidifed the nation’s foundational depth ahead of a gruelling international calendar.

Malaysian Kickboxing Association (MKA) and ISKA Malaysia President, Master Khoo Meng Yang, expressed immense pride in the contingent’s competitive fire while acknowledging that the result serves as a springboard for necessary growth.

“We did not achieve our target of four gold and two silver medals, but winning two gold and four silver medals is still a good result,” Khoo said.

“I’m proud of our athletes and the effort they showed throughout the competition. There are many positives we can take away from this tournament, and we will come back stronger in the next one.”

Gold Standard: Yatavan and Aidil Rule the Ring

Leading the charge were Yatavan Baskar and Muhammad Aidil Bahrin, who captured gold medals in the Kick Light division. Yatavan emerged victorious in the Kick Light -70kg category, while Aidil added another gold in the Kick Light -88kg division.

Malaysia’s medal haul was further boosted by four silver-medal finishes. Young prospect Armand Iskandar Zawen Anwar impressed in the U13 Kick Light category, while Wee Pei Zhi claimed silver in the U88 Low Kick division. Veteran competitor Ng Chee Seng added another podium finish in the Senior Low Kick -61kg category, and Chang Yu Xiang rounded out the medal tally with silver in Kick Light -64kg.

Silver Linings and the Future of Malaysian Kickboxing

The silver medalists provided plenty of silver linings, highlighting both veteran resilience and youth development under the watchful eye of National Kickboxing Coach, Master Zawen.

In the junior circuits, U13 prospect Armand Iskandar Bin Zawen Anwar fought with a maturity well beyond his years to take home a silver in the U13 Kick Light class. Meanwhile, Chang Yu Xiang fell just short in a tactical chess match in the Kick Light -64kg final to claim silver.

The Ring disciplines also yielded crucial hardware. Ng Chee Seng battled through a stacked bracket in the Senior Low Kick -61kg division, demonstrating immense heart to secure a silver medal.

In the heavier ringside action, Wee Pei Zhi rounded out the silver haul with an explosive performance in the U88 Low Kick division.

The Executive Verdict: Proud but Hungry

Khoo emphasized that falling slightly short of the initial blueprint does not diminish the prestige of the podium finishes. “Our target was four gold and two silver medals, but we finished with two gold and four silver medals. While we fell short of our goal, I believe it’s still a respectable performance with plenty of positives to build on.”

The executive core—including Master Khoo, Secretary Master Koh, and Coach Master Zawen—issued a collective statement of gratitude to the wider ecosystem.

“I’m incredibly proud of every athlete who stepped into the ring and represented our nation with courage, discipline, and heart. My sincere appreciation to our President, officials, coaches, athletes, sponsors, partners, supporters, and everyone who stood behind Team Malaysia. Your belief made this journey possible.”

Road to Madrid: The Continental and World Blueprint

There will be no time for the team to rest on their laurels. The tactical roadmap for the remainder of 2026 is already locked in, with Malaysia shifting its focus from regional dominance to continental and global supremacy.

Malaysia’s next assignment will be the ISKA Asia International Combat Sports Open & Elite Invitational Tournament in Sanya, China, where expectations will once again be high.

The coaching staff has already raised the stakes for the trip to China, establishing an aggressive target of five gold medals or more.

“Our next competition is in Sanya, and our goal is to win five gold medals or more,” Khoo revealed.

The Asian open will serve as the ultimate litmus test before the grandest stage of them all: the ISKA World Championship in Madrid, Spain, this coming November.

The World Championship represents the highest level of competition on the ISKA calendar and will offer Malaysian athletes an opportunity to measure themselves against elite fighters from around the globe.

For many within the squad, the road to Madrid begins with the experience gained in Jakarta.

“After China, we’ll prepare for the ISKA World Championship in Madrid this November,” Khoo concluded. “It will be another great opportunity for our athletes to compete at the highest level. We’ll continue to learn, improve, and work harder as we prepare for the next challenge.”

The six medals won at the ISKA Indonesia Open may not have fulfilled every expectation, but they have provided a solid foundation for what promises to be a crucial few months for Malaysian kickboxing.