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ExFunCity Sport News | Adeola Wins Malaysia’s First Asian Games Gold
By ExFunCity · 23 Sep 2026
TL;DR — Adeola Fay Robert wins Malaysia’s first gold at the 2026 Asian Games, beating Iran’s Fatemehzahra Saeidabadi 6-4 in the under-55kg final.
The Adeola Fay Robert Asian Games gold has given Malaysia its biggest sporting moment of Aichi-Nagoya 2026 so far. The 20-year-old Sabah karate exponent captured Malaysia’s first gold medal of the Games after defeating Iran’s Fatemehzahra Saeidabadi 6-4 in the women’s under-55kg kumite final on September 22.
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Adeola produced a composed performance at Toyohashi Gymnasium to complete a memorable Asian Games debut.
She started her campaign with a dominant 9-1 victory over Kuwait’s Asrar Jasem before edging Uzbekistan’s Sevinch Rakhimova 8-7. Adeola then defeated Kazakhstan’s Bella Samasheva 5-4 in the semi-final to secure her place in the gold-medal bout.
In the final, Adeola built an early advantage against Saeidabadi before the Iranian fought back. The Malaysian remained calm under pressure and eventually sealed a 6-4 victory.
The Adeola Fay Robert Asian Games gold officially opened Malaysia’s gold-medal account at the 2026 Games.

Malaysia Ends Long Karate Gold Wait
Adeola’s victory was significant beyond being Malaysia’s first gold medal in Aichi-Nagoya.
Her success also ended Malaysia’s wait for another women’s karate gold at the Asian Games. The country’s previous women’s karate champion was Syakilla Salni at the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea.
Adeola arrived in Japan with growing momentum after winning bronze at the 2025 SEA Games in Thailand.
Now, the Adeola Fay Robert Asian Games gold has taken her career to another level.

Current Malaysia Medal Situation
Malaysia ended September 22 with one gold and one bronze added during the fourth day of competition.
Wushu exponent Tan Cheong Min contributed the bronze medal in the combined women’s nanquan and nandao event with a total score of 19.389.
Malaysia entered Aichi-Nagoya with a target of six gold medals, making Adeola’s breakthrough an important early boost for the national contingent.
What Malaysian Fans Are Talking About
Adeola’s unexpected breakthrough has quickly become one of the most talked-about Malaysian performances of the Games.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim also congratulated the young Sabah athlete and expressed hope that her achievement would inspire the rest of Team Malaysia competing in Japan.

For Malaysian sports fans, the Adeola Fay Robert Asian Games gold is especially exciting because it came on her debut at the competition.
What Comes Next
Attention now turns to Malaysia’s other medal prospects as the Asian Games continue until October 4.
Badminton, squash, track cycling, diving, sepak takraw and several other events remain under close watch as Malaysia attempts to reach its overall medal targets.
For now, Adeola Fay Robert has delivered the breakthrough Malaysia had been waiting for.
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