CAIRO, 30 November 2025: National karate ace C. Shahmalarani delivered a historic moment for Malaysia by clinching a silver medal at the 2025 World Championships in Cairo, becoming the country’s first world-championships medalist in over a decade.
At just 26 years old, Shahmalarani advanced to the final of the women’s kumite under-50 kg category after spectacular victories over tough opponents. She defeated Ukraine’s Yuliia Palashevska in her opening bout, then overcame Ecuador’s Lili Alvarado in the quarterfinals, and stunned world-class Iranian competitor Sara Bahmanyar 4–1 in the semifinals to guarantee a medal for Malaysia.
Her appearance in the final marks the first time a Malaysian fighter has reached the world-championships kumite final since 2014, ending an 11-year wait
In the final, Shahmalarani faced Uzbek champion Gulshan Alimardanova. Despite a spirited performance, Shahmalarani fell short, losing 1–6. Yet her runner-up finish still resonates as a major achievement for Malaysian karate.
After the match, she reflected on the journey, acknowledging the long years of training and competition, and expressing gratitude for reaching the world final. Her semifinal win over a top-ranked opponent and her calm composure under pressure earned widespread respect.
Shahmalarani’s success this year did not emerge overnight. Earlier in 2025, she captured a silver medal at the Asian Karate Championships in Tashkent in the same weight class, ending a 13-year medal drought for Malaysia in the continental meet.
Her consistent performance has also secured her a top-10 ranking by the World Karate Federation (WKF) in the women’s kumite –50 kg division.
Karate officials and fans alike are hailing this achievement as a boost for the sport in Malaysia. For years, the country has struggled to make a mark on the global karate stage, but Shahmalarani’s silver shows that with sustained support and perseverance, Malaysian athletes can compete with the world’s best.
Her success comes at a critical moment, with the national team aiming to maintain momentum heading into the 2025 Southeast Asian Games later this year. Shahmalarani herself has signaled her intent to pursue gold there, adding to her earlier SEA Games titles.
As the applause dies down and the medal glints in her hands, one thing is clear: C. Shahmalarani has not only reclaimed Malaysia’s presence in world karate, she’s rekindled hope for a stronger future.
