As we approach the end of 2024, it’s the perfect time to reflect on the remarkable achievements of Malaysian Indian athletes this year. Many have delivered exceptional performances and earned well-deserved victories. In this article, we highlight five outstanding Malaysian Indian athletes who made headlines with their extraordinary accomplishments in 2024.
Datuk Mohd Syarul Azman Mahen Abdullah @ Mike Mahen
Datuk Mohd Syarul Azman Mahen Abdullah, better known as Mike Mahen, is a renowned former national bodybuilding champion. This year, he was celebrated as the National Sportsman at the prestigious National Sports Awards 2023, becoming the third bodybuilder to receive this honour. At 51 years old, Mike Mahen, who announced his retirement in March, achieved a remarkable milestone last year by winning his sixth world and Asian titles. His illustrious career and recent triumphs have firmly established him as a prominent figure in the world of bodybuilding.
Sharmendran Raghonathan
Sharmendran, a four-time SEA Games gold medalist, retired from the national team last year after 12 years of dedicated service as an athlete. In March of this year, he accepted the role of head coach for the national development squad following an invitation from the Malaysia Karate Federation (MAKAF). Currently, he is coaching the junior team. In a recent announcement, Sharmendran was appointed as the interim head coach of the national team by MAKAF. He will be the first local coach to lead the elite squad since Datuk P. Arivalagan, who served as the chief coach from 2004 to 2011.
Thinaah Muralitharan
Thinaah Muralitharan is a highly regarded national badminton player, best known for her partnership with Pearly Tan in women’s doubles. Earlier this year, Thinaah was awarded a scholarship for her final year studies at Open University Malaysia (OUM). The duo made history by becoming the first Malaysian women’s doubles pair to reach the semi-finals at the Olympics, eventually securing fourth place. In addition to their Olympic success, Pearly and Thinaah were runners-up in the women’s doubles category at the 2024 Arctic Open. They also reached the quarter-finals at the Denmark Open, marking one of their best performances in the tournament to date, especially considering their early exits in previous years. Thinaah’s exceptional achievements this year, particularly her Olympic performance, have solidified her place among Malaysia’s top athletes.
Sivasangari Subramaniam
Sivasangari Subramaniam, a renowned national squash player, made a significant mark in the world of sports in 2024. On 30th March, she shocked the squash community by defeating world No. 1 Nour El Sherbini of Egypt in the quarter-finals of the inaugural London Squash Classic. This victory made Sivasangari the first player ranked outside the top 10 to beat El Sherbini since Annie Au of Hong Kong did so at the 2015 Cleveland Classic. Sivasangari also became the first Malaysian player to reach a Gold Level Final since Nicol David’s achievement in 2015. As the reigning National Women’s Squash Champion, she clinched her first PSA World Tour Gold-level title at the prestigious GillenMarkets London Classic. In addition, Sivasangari was named the April 2024 Athlete of the Month by the World Games organization and received two prestigious awards: PSA Moment of the Season and Women’s Match of the Season at the Professional Squash Association (PSA) awards. Her incredible achievements continue to make her a source of pride for the nation as she rises to global prominence in the world of squash.
Kisona Selvaduray
Kisona Selvaduray is a well-known women’s singles badminton player who made an impressive comeback this year, bringing pride to Malaysia by winning the title at the Dutch Open, ending a three-year title drought. This victory made Kisona the first Malaysian woman to claim a senior international title in 2024. In addition to her remarkable achievement on the court, she was also honored with the ‘Best Sports Personality’ award at the Nambikkai Star Icon Awards this year. Kisona Selvaduray’s outstanding achievements this year have not only showcased her resilience and skill but have also cemented her place as one of Malaysia’s top athletes, inspiring future generations to strive for greatness.
These five athletes are just a glimpse of the many talented Malaysian Indian athletes who have made their mark in 2024. Their exceptional achievements and unwavering dedication serve as an inspiration to aspiring athletes across the nation. As we celebrate their successes, it’s clear that Malaysian Indian athletes continue to shine on both national and international stages, making invaluable contributions to Malaysia’s sporting legacy. With their passion, determination, and resilience, these athletes have set a high standard for excellence, and we can only look forward to even greater accomplishments in the years to come.
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook or Telegram for more updates and breaking news.
