Sabah karate star Adeola’s Asian Games gold proves state talent can shine globally, says GRS Women chief

KOTA KINABALU (Sept 23): Tambunan-born karate athlete Adeola Fay Robert’s gold medal at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games has demonstrated that Sabah athletes can compete at the highest level internationally, said Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) Women movement chief Datuk Seri Panglima Azizah Mohd Dun.

Congratulating the 20-year-old athlete, Azizah said Adeola’s achievement was a source of pride for Sabah and Malaysia, while serving as an inspiration to young athletes, particularly women.

“Adeola has proven that Sabahans can go far. With opportunities, support, training and continuous development, our young athletes can stand shoulder to shoulder with the best in Asia and the world,” she said in a statement.

Adeola secured Malaysia’s first gold medal at the Games after defeating Iran’s Fatemehzahra Saeidabadi 6-4 in the women’s kumite under-55kg final at Toyohashi Gymnasium.

She had earlier defeated Kazakhstan’s Bella Samasheva 5-4 in the semi-finals, Kuwait’s Asrar Jasem 9-1 in the quarter-finals and Uzbekistan’s Sevinch Rakhimova 8-7 in the earlier rounds.

Azizah highlighted Adeola’s progression from representing Sabah at the Malaysia Games (Sukma), where she won gold in the women’s kumite under-61kg event and helped the state’s women’s team secure the team kumite title, to representing Malaysia at the Asian Games.

She said Adeola’s journey underscored the importance of nurturing young sporting talent and called for greater efforts to identify athletes from districts and rural areas and provide them with adequate training, facilities and competitive exposure.

“We want more Adeolas to emerge from Sabah. Our young people’s talents must be identified, nurtured and given opportunities to bring Sabah and Malaysia’s names to the world stage,” she said.

Adeola’s Asian Games triumph follows her bronze medal at the 2025 Thailand SEA Games. It also marked Malaysia’s first Asian Games gold medal in women’s karate since Syakilla Salni’s victory at the 2014 Incheon edition.

Adeola Fay Robert Asian Games Azizah Mohd Dun gold medal onsite