M. Menaga Dewi Overcomes Personal Loss to Win SUKMA Judo Gold

M. Menaga Dewi transformed grief into a powerful performance, clinching the gold medal in the women's under-48 kilogram judo competition at the Malaysian Games (SUKMA). The Kedah athlete defeated Lucus Chong Wen Le from Selangor with a 1-0 score, dedicating the victory to her grandmother, who passed away just two weeks prior.

The win, achieved at the Ideal Convention Centre (IDCC) Shah Alam, holds profound personal significance for Menaga Dewi. Her grandmother was a major source of her strength and support, making this gold medal a special tribute. The achievement also serves as redemption for Menaga Dewi, who secured a silver medal in the same category at SUKMA 2024, successfully upgrading her medal this time around.

This triumph marks a significant milestone in Menaga Dewi's judo journey, which began when she was introduced to the sport at the Tunku Mahkota Ismail Sports School (SSTMI) in Johor. After dedicating six to seven years to rigorous training, her hard work has culminated in this major success on the SUKMA stage, validating her dedication and effort.