KUALA LUMPUR – Shahmalarani Chandran is keeping her eyes firmly on the bigger prize of winning an Asian Games gold medal, despite the added incentive of a Proton e.MAS awaiting Malaysia’s top karate performers.
The national karate exponent said the reward announced by the Malaysian Karate Federation (Makaf) was a welcome source of motivation, but she would not allow it to distract her from the main objective at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.
The 2026 continental Games will mark Shahmalarani’s second Asian Games appearance, and the responsibility to deliver a strong performance has only grown after years of dedication to the sport.
She said Makaf president Datuk Nur Azmi Ahmad’s initiative was a meaningful gesture to recognise the sacrifices made by national athletes.
“This is the first time and it is an initiative from Datuk Azmi. We are very grateful because it is a booster for us. We have sacrificed a lot of time, effort and energy for this sport.
“So, it is not just about winning a gold medal, but it is also a very meaningful form of appreciation for the athletes.
“But the responsibility is also getting bigger and the pressure is increasing, but the real game starts now,” she told Scoop when contacted.
Earlier, Nur Azmi announced that any Malaysian karate athlete who wins gold at the Aichi-Nagoya Games would receive a Proton e.MAS as a reward.
Shahmalarani, who competed in the women’s 55kg kumite event at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games, was knocked out in the round of 16 during her debut appearance.
However, the Selangor-born fighter enters her second Asian Games campaign with renewed confidence after clinching a silver medal at last year’s World Championships.
The achievement has raised expectations that Shahmalarani can mount a stronger challenge in Aichi-Nagoya and improve on her previous continental Games performance.
With the competition approaching, she said there would be no major changes to her preparation, with the emphasis now on refining her existing skills and strengthening her confidence.
“At this final stage, there is not much that can be done. We just need to polish what we have, build our confidence and give everything when we compete.
“Preparations have been going well and now we are in the final phase together with international athletes,” she said.
Malaysia’s karate squad returned from the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games with one gold and two silver medals.
Makaf has set a target of at least one gold medal at the Aichi-Nagoya Games, with Shahmalarani among the country’s leading medal prospects. – September 13, 2026