M’sian Karate Athlete Bags The Country’s First Medal At The 24th Deaflympics!

National deaf karate athlete, V. Yilamaran won the country’s first medal at the 24th Deaflympics in Caxias do Sul, Brazil on Tuesday (April 3rd).

The 22-year-old settled for a silver medal after losing in the final of the Men’s Kumite Below 84kg division to Makhno Oleksanr of Ukraine. 

Photo via Facebook (Team Malaysia)

The Malaysian Deaf Sports Association (MSDeaf) told BERNAMA that Yilamaran had previously defeated Brazilian Sergio Garcia in the first round, Israel’s Avi Bokler in the quarter-finals, and Iran’s Abdolghafour Ebhahim in the semifinals. 

Chairman of the national contingent, Ong Shin Ruenn attended the finals in Brazil and said he was very proud of Yilamaran’s success, especially since he was competing at the Deaflympics for the first time.

In a statement on the MSDeaf Facebook page, he said that the historic success allows the national deaf sports contingent to add to the country’s medal tally through other sports as well such as badminton, cycling, and athletics. 

Yilamaran made history in November when he won Malaysia’s first medal, a bronze at the first World Deaf Karate Championships in Tehran, Iran.

By: Aishah Akashah Ahadiat