Malaysia Shines at 2026 Sanya International Combat Sports Open
Article by : Zawen Anwar
Kickboxing Master Trainer, Combat Strength and Conditioning Specialist, ACE CPT
SANYA, HAINAN — Malaysian combat sports athletes made their presence felt on the international stage at the 2026 Sanya, Hainan International Combat Sports Open & Elite Invitational Tournament, held from 5–10 August 2026 at the Mangrove Tree Resort World International Convention Center, Sanya Bay.
Representing Malaysia, the country’s kickboxing athletes delivered a series of strong performances against international opposition, returning home with an impressive collection of medals and valuable experience from one of the region’s major combat-sports events.
Among the Malaysian medal winners was Zawen Anwar, who secured a Silver Medal after a competitive campaign at the tournament.
Another strong performance came from Chang Yu Xiang, who also claimed Silver, adding another podium finish for the Malaysian team.
Chee Jian Kai produced one of the team’s standout performances, capturing Gold and emerging as one of Malaysia’s champions at the international tournament.
Wong Hao Shan was another particularly impressive performer, demonstrating his versatility across different categories. Wong collected one Silver and three Bronze medals, making him one of the most decorated members of the Malaysian contingent.
The team also saw strong performances from Muhammad Aidil Bin Bahrin, who earned a Bronze Medal, and Muhammad Aidil Dzaquan Bin Ismail, who also secured Bronze.
On the women’s side, Siti Nurfatihah Binti Osman delivered a notable performance, winning two Silver Medals and adding further success to Malaysia’s medal tally.
More Than Just Medals
For the Malaysian fighters, the Sanya Open was about more than simply standing on the podium.
Competing internationally exposes athletes to different fighting styles, strategies and levels of competition. Every bout provides an opportunity to test the skills developed through months and years of training.
The experience is particularly important for fighters looking to progress to higher levels of competition. International tournaments challenge athletes not only physically, but also mentally — demanding discipline, composure and the ability to adapt under pressure.
For the Malaysian team, every medal represented countless hours of preparation, conditioning, technical work and sparring behind the scenes.
Malaysia’s Growing Combat-Sports Presence
The Sanya tournament also provided an important platform for Malaysian athletes to showcase the country’s growing strength in kickboxing and combat sports.
With competitors from different countries coming together in Sanya, the event created opportunities for athletes and coaches to gain international exposure, build relationships and learn from different combat-sports systems.
The performances of the Malaysian athletes demonstrate that the country has fighters capable of competing confidently beyond its own borders.
For athletes such as Chee Jian Kai, bringing home gold represents the reward for preparation and execution when it mattered most. For medalists such as Zawen Anwar, Chang Yu Xiang, Wong Hao Shan, Muhammad Aidil Bin Bahrin, Muhammad Aidil Dzaquan Bin Ismail and Siti Nurfatihah Binti Osman, their podium finishes provide valuable momentum for the next stage of their competitive careers.
A Proud Moment for Malaysia
The 2026 Sanya International Combat Sports Open was ultimately another important chapter in the development of Malaysia’s combat-sports athletes.
The medals will serve as a reminder of what the team achieved in China, but the experience gained may prove even more valuable in the long term.
For the fighters, the journey continues — back to the gym, back to training and back to work.
From Malaysia to Sanya, they stepped onto the international stage, competed with determination and brought home medals — a proud achievement for Malaysian combat sports.
Medal information reflected here: Zawen Anwar – Silver; Chang Yu Xiang – Silver; Chee Jian Kai – Gold; Wong Hao Shan – Silver + 3 Bronze; Muhammad Aidil Bin Bahrin – Bronze; Muhammad Aidil Dzaquan Bin Ismail – Bronze; Siti Nurfatihah Binti Osman – 2 Silver.
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