• Today: September 21, 2026

Basma secures Brunei’s first medal in Asian Games

Brunei Darussalam’s Basma Lachkar secured the country’s first medal at the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, claiming bronze in the women’s combined taijiquan and taijijian event with a total score of 19.443 on Sunday.

The sole female athlete representing Brunei at the Asian Games scored 9.723 in taijiquan before adding 9.720 in taijijian to finish third.

Singapore’s Zeanne Law also recorded a combined score of 19.443 to share the bronze medal.

China’s Tong Xin took gold with 19.553 points, while Japan’s Saito Shiho claimed silver with 19.473.

His Royal Highness Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah, Olympic Council of Asia Honorary Executive Board Member and President of the Brunei Darussalam National Olympic Council, presented the medals.

His Royal Highness Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah, Olympic Council of Asia Honorary Executive Board Member and President of the Brunei Darussalam National Olympic Council in a group photo with Basma Lachkar
and national wushu coaches. PHOTO: SECRETARIAT OF BRUNEI CONTINGENT AT 20TH ASIAN GAMES
Basma Lachkar poses with other winners of the women’s wushu taijiquan and taijijan combined final,
at the Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan. PHOTO: AP

Basma’s coaches, Zhao Chunjie and Li Hui, expressed their pride and honour at the achievement.

Li Hui said, “Our four years of hard work have not been in vain, and we ultimately won the first medal for the Brunei delegation. We are extremely excited and find it hard to express in words. We are truly happy to have made a great contribution to Brunei.”

In preparation for the Asian Games, Li Hui and Zhao Chunjie carefully refined and re-choreographed Basma’s routines, tailoring the movements to suit her while continuously making breakthroughs in novelty and innovation.

They also added difficult movements and repeatedly polished the music production and coordination. These meticulous preparations enabled Basma to stand out in the fierce competition, with the result reflecting the coaches’ efforts and the athlete’s long-term perseverance.

Reflecting on 20 years of coaching in Brunei, Li Hui said, “We started almost from zero. Along the way, we experienced many difficulties and challenges and witnessed the growth of athletes one after another. Today, we have World Games gold medals, SEA Games gold medals, and Asian Games silver and bronze medals. As coaches, we are very gratified.

Brunei Darussalam’s Basma Lachkar competes in the women’s wushu taijiquan final at the Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan. PHOTO: AP

Li Hui thanked the Brunei government, the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, the Brunei Darussalam National Olympic Council, and the Brunei Darussalam Wushu Federation for their strong support.

“Looking to the future, my next goal is to win a medal at the Commonwealth Games and the Olympic Games. This is the goal shared by me and my athletes. We will continue to strive hard and seek to win more honours for Brunei,” he added.

Meanwhile, Brunei karate exponent Awangku Ahmad Munib Aiman bin Pengiran Haji Md Hasimudin lost 2-1 against Indonesia’s Muhammad Tegar in the quarter-final of the men’s kumite-55kg event.

Brunei’s wushu athlete Walid Lachkar finished 14th in the men’s changquan event with a score of 9.493.

In another sporting event, His Royal Highness also presented the mascot for the men’s doubles teqball event, while the medals were presented by a member of the International Olympic Committee.

Thailand won gold, Lebanon took silver, while Iraq and Kuwait shared the bronze medals.

 

SOURCE/AUTHOR : BORNEO BULLETIN

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