SEA GAMES: PEARLY ALMOST IN TEARS AS NEGARAKU PLAYS, THINAAH RELIEVED AFTER GOLD

From Amiril Muttaqien Meketar

BANGKOK, Dec 14 (Bernama) -- Hearing Negaraku ring out loud at Gymnasium 4, Thammasat University Rangsit Campus in Pathum Thani was the moment that made every drop of sweat worthwhile for the country’s top women’s doubles shuttler Pearly Tan at the SEA Games Thailand 2025.

Pearly and M. Thinaah who were the top seed and favourites, were pushed to the absolute limit in an 86-minute thriller before the top seeds finally subdued Indonesia’s Febriana Dwipuji Kusuma-Meilysa Trias Puspitasari 21-16, 19-21, 21-17 to clinch gold.

bootstrap slideshow

The 25-year-old admitted the emotional weight of the nerve-racking final only truly sank in after the last point was won.

“I felt like almost crying. I was too tired (towards the end of the game) and very very happy to hear the the Negaraku. I could not believe that we were able to finish off the points quickly because earlier we had to struggle for every point in the third set after trailing 12-16.

“In the end it became 20-17, I know it's the last point and suddenly when I smashed it was unbelievable to win the final point,” she told reporters after the medal ceremony.

Pearly also hoped their triumph will inspire the juniors to dream of SEA Games gold in women’s doubles.

Thinaah, meanwhile, said she was relieved to have contributed gold for Malaysia, especially with the weight of expectation resting on their shoulders in their SEA Games debut.

She admitted the pressure was huge with many expecting gold from them, but said the pair were proud to rise to the occasion and make the nation smile.

National women’s doubles head coach Rosman Razak said he was delighted to guide Malaysia’s third women’s doubles pair to SEA Games gold, following the successes of Vivian Hoo-Woon Khe Wei in 2013 and Amelia Alicia Anscelly-Soong Fie Cho in 2015.

“SEA Games is always about country, not like other tournaments. I’m really, really happy, because the feeling is totally different compared to other tournaments,” he said.

The SEA Games Thailand 2025 is taking place from Dec 9 to 20 across two provinces in Bangkok and Chonburi.

-- BERNAMA