Asian Games: Golden girl Adeola to take Proton e.Mas home to Sabah for family

The 20-year-old, who delivered Malaysia’s first gold medal of Asiad 2026 after defeating Iran’s Fatemehzahra Saeidabadi 6-4 in the women’s below 55-kilogramme (kg) kumite final at the Toyohashi Gymnasium yesterday, said she greatly appreciated the reward from the Malaysian Karate Federation (Makaf). — Bernama pic

First Published: Wednesday, 23 Sep 2026 6:59 PM MYT

NAGOYA, Sept 23 — National women’s karate exponent Adeola Fay Robert plans to take the Proton e.Mas electric car, which she is set to receive as an incentive for striking gold at the ongoing Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, back to Sabah for her family to use.

The 20-year-old, who delivered Malaysia’s first gold medal of Asiad 2026 after defeating Iran’s Fatemehzahra Saeidabadi 6-4 in the women’s below 55-kilogramme (kg) kumite final at the Toyohashi Gymnasium yesterday, said she greatly appreciated the reward from the Malaysian Karate Federation (Makaf).

“I am truly grateful and delighted. I would like to thank Makaf.

“I plan to take the car back to Sabah and I want my family to use it,” she said.

Adeola, who comes from a family of educators, said her father teaches science and her mother teaches mathematics, while her elder brother and sister are also teachers.

“I am also studying at Institut Pendidikan Guru Ilmu Khas in Cheras and hope to become a physical education teacher one day,” she said.

Meanwhile, women’s below 50kg kumite gold medallist C. Shahmalarani, who is also set to receive a Proton e.Mas as an incentive for her triumph, said she has her own plans for the vehicle but is not ready to reveal them yet.

“Thank you (Makaf president) Datuk Nur Azmi Ahmad for the e.Mas,” she added.

Meanwhile, Nur Azmi said the two cars would be handed over to the two exponents soon. — Bernama