Malaysia’s muay thai queen Yan Jia Chi delivered a stunning upset at the Thailand 2025 SEA Games after defeating reigning world champion Thongduang Thanawan of the host nation to secure the gold medal in the wai kru event earlier today.

The triumph was made even more memorable as it unfolded at the iconic Lumpinee Stadium, widely regarded as the spiritual home of muay thai. Jia Chi, fondly known as Angie, captivated the panel of five judges with a refined and powerful performance, blending precision, rhythm and expression to outshine her Thai opponent on home ground.

Speaking after the final, Angie described the victory as a meaningful reward for the sacrifices she made over the past year, having based herself in Thailand without returning home to Malaysia.

“I stayed in Thailand for a full year and did not go back to Malaysia, apart from travelling to compete in several tournaments ahead of the SEA Games. This gold medal makes all the effort and exhaustion worthwhile,” she said.

Angie added that the closely fought contest was decided by subtle strengths developed through rigorous training, noting that both finalists trained at the same centre in Thailand.

“The competition was extremely intense. The difference may have come down to the strength and maturity I have built. Training in the same camp meant we understood each other’s style very well,” she said.

The SEA Games gold further cements Angie’s standing as one of Malaysia’s most accomplished muay thai athletes. She boasts an impressive international résumé, having captured three world titles at the International Federation of Muaythai Associations (IFMA) Under-23 World Championships – in Thailand (2023), Greece (2024) and Türkiye (2025).

Her latest success not only adds to Malaysia’s medal tally but also signals the nation’s growing stature on the regional muay thai stage.

-THE MALAYSIA VOICE