KUALA LUMPUR — After striking gold in the individual poomsae event at the last SEA Games, national taekwondo exponent Nur Humaira Abdul Karim will not have the chance to defend her title in Thailand later this year because the category has been dropped.
With the individual event removed from the 2025 SEA Games programme, Nur Humaira is now channelling her focus into the mixed pair event alongside partner Jason Loo, confident that the duo can replicate her past success on a different stage.
“Our partnership has become more in sync,” she said, reported Bernama. “We’ve been consistently performing well on the international stage, and I believe we have the potential to win a medal at the SEA Games.”
The pair recently clinched gold at the Austrian Open, a performance that Nur Humaira said reflects their growing chemistry and momentum on the international circuit.
At the 2023 SEA Games in Cambodia, the 21-year-old emerged as Malaysia’s standout performer in taekwondo poomsae, winning gold in the individual category and silver in the team event.
But this year’s edition in Thailand will only feature the mixed pair, team, and freestyle events — a significant change that has reshaped her competition strategy.
In preparation for the biennial Games, she will compete at the Korea Open Taekwondo Championships from July 15 to 20, followed by another international meet in Australia this September.
“My target in Korea is to make it through the first two rounds. Athletes usually have to go through six or seven rounds to reach the final,” she said.
“South Korea will be our toughest rival — most of the participants are from there. We’re not chasing medals this time, but rather valuable ranking points and experience.” — July 6, 2025