Askuzaimey Gives Malaysia a Merdeka Day Gold Medal

Noor Askuzaimey Mat Salim marked Malaysia’s 69th National Day by winning a world boccia title in Seoul, then discovered that the gold medal had arrived on another special date: her wedding anniversary.

Askuzaimey defeated Hong Kong’s Yuen Cheung 5-3 in a closely fought final in the women’s BC4 individual category. The victory gave Malaysia its only gold medal in the individual events at the championship and sent the national anthem playing in South Korea.

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Thank God, Allah is always with me and He knows what I feel. I am very happy with this unexpected blessing.

She said she had not expected to finish as champion and described the result as an unexpected blessing and a gift for Malaysians. “Thank God, Allah is always with me and He knows what I feel. I am very happy with this unexpected blessing,” she said through World Boccia.

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Thank you to my family, coaches and all Malaysians. This achievement is a gift to Malaysians in conjunction with Independence Day.

She also thanked her family, coaches and Malaysians, calling the victory a National Day gift. With the win coinciding with her wedding anniversary, she said the celebration would be even brighter.

The title also helped erase the disappointment of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, where she finished fourth.

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Today also happens to be our wedding anniversary, so the celebration will certainly be even brighter.