Marissa Hafezan delivers Singapore’s first karate gold at the SEA Games in over three decades
Sport
Singapore’s Marissa Hafezan claimed the nation’s inaugural karate gold at the Southeast Asian Games in 32 years, triumphing on Friday, December 12.
In the final of the women’s kumite under 55kg, Hafezan edged out Vietnam’s Nguyen Thi Dieu Ly with a 5-3 victory at the Chaeng Watthana Government Complex in Bangkok, sealing the title.
Earlier that day, the 19-year-old swept aside Maryanne Jenelle Montalvo of the Philippines, 7-0, and Sysoubanthong Manyvanh of Laos, 8-0, to reach the championship bout.
Singapore’s last karate champion at the SEA Games was Neo Ah Suan, who won the women’s kumite 60kg and above event in 1993 when Singapore hosted the Games.
Before Hafezan’s win, Singapore had not earned any karate medal at a SEA Games since 2011, making this breakthrough especially notable for the sport in the country.
Source: CNA/kg(rj)
Notes: This rewrite preserves the original facts while rephrasing for clarity and flow, and adds minor explanatory context about the significance of the win. If you’d like, I can add quotes from the athletes or coaches or place the victory within a broader Singaporean sporting narrative.
