KUALA LUMPUR – Sarawak squash pair Harith Danial Jefri and Nathalie Sim had a golden start to their career after claiming a gold medal at the 20th Malaysia Games (Sukma) mixed doubles event held at the National Squash Centre, Bukit Jalil here, today.
The Sukma debutants did not expect to beat their senior opponents and statesmen, Mai Si Yi-Nathan Kueh, given the fact that they only had a week to train together prior to the tournament.
“It was a last-minute preparation because I had only returned from studying in the United States last week.
“Although our opponents were our seniors, we kept calm and hyped each other up so we could focus on our performance,” said 19-year-old Nathalie.
Nathalie is currently pursuing computer science at Hobart and William Smith Colleges in New York, while Harith is a student at the Bukit Jalil Sports School.
Harith added that they have been partners for almost three years.
Despite the Covid-19 pandemic standing in the way, he was grateful that they have not lost their chemistry as partners.
“We seldom train together during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“But still, we managed to maintain our momentum and we are grateful to have come this far (to win gold in mixed doubles), thanks to our great chemistry during training and on the court,” said the 16-year-old.
In other events, two-time Asia junior champion and Kuala Lumpur women’s singles player Chan Yiwen beat Kedah’s Aira Azman, 3-2, to claim gold at the Jalan Duta Squash Centre today.
The victory was a step up from her silver medal in the 2018 Sukma edition following her defeat at the hands of Aira’s sister, Aifa Azman, who is also the national athlete.
In the men’s singles, Kedah’s Ong Sai Hung won gold after defeating teammate Muhammad Hafiz Zhafri Abdul Harif, 11-7, 11-5, 5-11, 11-6. – The Vibes, September 20, 2022
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