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Malaysian shooter aims for Olympics after SUKMA success
🇲🇾 Malaysia /Sports

Malaysian shooter aims for Olympics after SUKMA success

From Utusan Malaysia · () Malay

Translated from Malay, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Malaysian shooter Cheah Zen Hong, who won multiple gold medals and the "Sportsman of the Games" award at SUKMA Selangor 2026, is now aiming for the Olympics.
  • The 20-year-old athlete broke two records at the games but remains focused on the greater challenge of international competition.
  • Zen Hong plans to join the Podium Program to gain more international experience and transition from a junior to a senior athlete.

Malaysian shooter Cheah Zen Hong has set his sights on the ultimate prize: the Olympic Games, after a stellar performance at SUKMA Selangor 2026. The 20-year-old secured nine gold medals, one silver, and the coveted "Sportsman of the Games" title, even breaking two event records. However, Zen Hong remains grounded, recognizing that his true career challenge is just beginning.

The Olympics is a very big dream, so I will continue to work hard to achieve it.

— Cheah Zen HongThe athlete expressed his long-term ambition after his SUKMA success.

Despite his remarkable SUKMA achievements, which surpassed his previous haul of seven golds in Sarawak 2024, Zen Hong views the "Sportsman of the Games" award as motivation to push his performance further. "The Olympics is a very big dream, so I will continue to work hard to achieve it," he stated. He acknowledges the increased challenges ahead and is prepared to face any obstacles.

After this, I know there will be more challenges that I will face, and I have to fight whatever obstacles await me.

— Cheah Zen HongHe acknowledged the difficulties he anticipates in his pursuit of international success.

With his SUKMA journey concluded, Zen Hong is eager to shed his junior athlete status and prove his capabilities in senior competitions. Currently part of the development program, he prioritizes gaining experience over salary. He believes joining the Podium Program will provide crucial exposure to international tournaments, a vital step toward his Olympic aspirations.

I am now in the development program, and for me, salary is not the main thing; I just want to do my best, and if I can get on the Podium, it means I can get more exposure in external competitions.

— Cheah Zen HongHe explained his priorities regarding his athletic development and future plans.

"I am now in the development program, and for me, salary is not the main thing; I just want to do my best," Zen Hong explained. "If I can get on the Podium, it means I can get more exposure in external competitions." He emphasized that his phase as a junior athlete has ended, and he must now be more serious and prepared for higher-level competition.

Now my phase as a junior athlete has ended, so after this I have to be more serious and ready to compete at a higher level.

— Cheah Zen HongHe signaled his readiness to transition to senior-level competition.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Utusan Malaysia in Malay. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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