Aaron-Wooi Yik, Farah take top honours at National Sports Awards

New Straits Times

13-05-2025

SUBANG JAYA: Shuttlers Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik and lawn bowler Nor Farah Ain Abdullah emerged the big winners at the 2024 National Sports Awards ceremony here today (May 13).
Farah, who won the singles gold at the World Indoor Bowls Championships at the Channel Islands last year, was named Sportswoman of the Year, beating a number of big names to the award.
The other nominees for the award were tenpin bowler Sin Li Jane, pencak silat exponent Nor Farah Mazlan, wushu exponent Tan Cheong Min and track cyclist Izzah Izzati Asri.
Farah said she did not expect to win the award as she had only recently joined the national squad.
His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia presented the award to Farah.
"Last year was only my first year in the national team and it was quite challenging for me to maintain my performances at a high level," said Farah.
"I really did not expect to win this award as I am still very new and still young. Of course I am very happy to win it. It means a lot to me."
Men's doubles pair Aaron-Wooi Yik also had a strong year last season, defending their Olympic bronze at the Paris Games, claiming silver at the Asia Team Championships (Shah Alam), bronze at the Asian Championships (China) and also winning the Korea Masters title.
The other athletes nominated for the Sportsman of the Year Award were Lee Zii Jia (badminton), Aniq Kasdan (weightlifting), Wong Weng Son (wushu) and Abdul Latif Maxzakir (pencak silat).
BA of Malaysia (BAM) secretary-general Datuk Kenny Goh received the award on behalf of Aaron-Wooi Yik. It is the second time they have won the award after previously winning it in 2022.
"As we all know, Aaron-Wooi Yik are currently in Bangkok for the Thailand Open and are unable to attend this event," said Kenny.
"But on behalf of them and BAM, I would like to express my appreciation to the Sports Ministry for this award which is the highest recognition for not only Aaron-Wooi Yik but also the sport and the association.
"It has always been BAM's objective to produce players capable of achieving excellent results at the international level."
There were no surprises in the Paralympic Sportsman of the Year category as powerlifter Bonnie Bunyau Gustin won it for a third time after previous wins in 2021 and 2023.
Bonnie had set a new world record en route to defending his gold medal at the Paris Paralympics last year.
The other athletes nominated for the award were shuttler Cheah Liek Hou, shot putter Ziyad Zolkefli, long jumper Latif Romly and sprinter Eddy Bernard.
Lawn bowler Hasmunirah Maliki, who won the singles title at the World Championships last year, was named the Paralympic Sportswoman of the Year.
The other athletes nominated for the category were cyclists Nur Azlia Syafinaz Mohd Zais and Nur Suraiya Muhamad Zamri, boccia player Noor Askuzaimey Mat Salim and shot putter Noor Imanina Idris.
The winners in the four categories above received RM20,000 cash, trophies and certificates.
Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik (badminton doubles)
Sportswoman of the Year: Nor Farah Ain Abdullah (lawn bowls)
Paralympic Sportsman of the Year: Bonnie Bunyau Gustin (powerlifting)
Paralympic Sportswoman of the Year: Hasmunirah Maliki (lawn bowls)
Men's Team of the Year: National sepak takraw squad
Women's Team of the Year: National tenpin bowling squad
Men's Coach of the Year: Jamil Adam (para powerlifting)
Women's Coach of the Year: Siti Rahmah Nasir (pencak silat)
Sports Figure Award: Tun Dr Mohd Ali Mohd Rustam