Tang Jie-Ee Wei, ranked world No 4, beat four other candidates – Tan Cheong Min (wushu), Emma Firyana Saroji (lawn bowl), Muhd Rafiq Ismail (tenpin bowling) and Mohd Abdul Latif Maxzakir (silat) – for the award.

They joined former shuttlers who had been winners previously – women’s singles player Wong Mew Choo (2007), men’s singles star Lee Chong Wei (2008) and men’s doubles pairs Cheah Soon Kit-Yap Kim Hock (1995 and 1996) and Koo Kean Kiat-Tan Boon Heong (2006).

National powerlifting champion Bonnie Bunyau Gustin lived up to expectations when he was crowned the Best Para Athlete following his achievement in the 2025 World Powerlifting Championships in Cairo, Egypt, where he became world champion for the fourth time in a row.

It was also the fourth time Bonnie has been crowned the Best Para Athlete, equalling the record of national track cycling champion Azizulhasni Awang.

The winners each received a trophy and RM10,000 from youth and sports minister Dr Taufiq Johari.