SEA GAMES: SQUASH TOP SEEDS SANJAY, NOOR AINAA GRAB GOLD

From Amiril Muttaqien Meketar

BANGKOK, Dec 19 (Bernama) -- National squash players Sanjay Jeeva and Noor Ainaa Amani Ampandi justified their top-seed status by clinching the men’s and women’s singles gold medals, respectively, at the SEA Games Thailand 2025 at Vajiravudh College here today.

Sanjay delivered a commanding performance to seal gold in an all-Malaysian final, showing composure to overcome an opening-set setback to defeat Duncan Lee 6-11, 11-6, 11-5, 11-4 in a 52-minute battle. 

The 26-year-old was delighted to cap off his maiden SEA Games campaign on a high, a result that also cemented his position as Malaysia’s national number two.

Sanjay was equally pleased to avenge his defeat to Duncan at the 40th National Championships in Penang last August, where he went down 9-11, 8-11, 8-11.

“I lost to him at the National Championships, so I knew coming into this match it was not going to be easy and that he would be ready.

“It was more of a mental battle for both of us because we train together regularly. We know each other’s routines and how to play against one another,” he told reporters after the match.

In the women’s singles final, world No. 59 Noor Ainaa Amani Ampandi brushed aside the challenge from compatriot Yee Xin Ying 11-7, 12-10, 8-11, 11-4 in 35 minutes to claim her first SEA Games gold medal.

Competing in her debut at the biennial Games, Noor Ainaa admitted the pressure was high heading into the final, particularly as the top seed and the more experienced player compared to world No. 65 Xin Ying.

Noor Ainaa, who was left in tears after the match, said the victory meant a great deal to her after everything she had gone through this season including having previously battled a right knee injury.

She said the triumph has boosted her confidence and hopes it will spur her climb into at least the world’s top 40, while opening doors to more international tournaments next year.

Today’s results saw Malaysia complete a clean sweep of all four squash gold medals contested at the 33rd edition of the Games.

Last Wednesday, Malaysia had already secured two golds in the jumbo doubles events for men and mixed pairs.

Harith Danial Jefri-Sehveettrraa Kumar claimed the mixed doubles title after defeating the Philippines’ Jonathan Reyes-Aerra JC Mae Relano 11-5, 11-2, before Harith Danial teamed up with Low Wa Sern to win the men’s jumbo doubles, overcoming Reyes-Christopher Buraga 11-4, 8-11, 11-5.

-- BERNAMA