National mixed doubles pair Chen Tang Jie and Toh Ee Wei continued their impressive rise after being named Athletes of the Year at the 2025 Sportswriters Association of Malaysia (SAM) Awards following their historic achievement as Malaysia’s first mixed doubles world champions.
The world number four duo beat four other finalists for the prestigious honour, namely national wushu athlete Tan Cheong Min, lawn bowls player Emma Firyana Saroji, tenpin bowling star Muhd Rafiq Ismail and silat exponent Mohd Abdul Latif Maxzakir.
Tang Jie and Ee Wei also etched their names into the record books as the first mixed doubles pair and only the third badminton partnership to win the SAM Athlete of the Year award.
Before them, the honour was won by men’s doubles legends Cheah Soon Kit-Yap Kim Hock in 1995 and 1996, as well as Koo Kean Keat-Tan Boon Heong in 2006.
Other badminton stars previously recognised with the award include Wong Mew Choo in 2007 and Lee Chong Wei in 2008.
Speaking after receiving the award, Ee Wei expressed gratitude for the recognition and support they have received throughout their journey.
“We are very grateful for this award. Thank you to everyone who has always supported us.
“We will continue working hard to give our best for Malaysia,” she said.
Meanwhile, national powerlifting champion Bonnie Bunyau Gustin maintained his remarkable reputation after being named Best Para Athlete following his fourth consecutive world title victory at the 2025 World Powerlifting Championships in Cairo, Egypt.
Bonnie described the recognition as added motivation to continue achieving success in the future.
“This award motivates me to keep pushing myself and continue giving my best moving forward,” he said.
The award marked Bonnie’s fourth time receiving the honour, equalling the achievement of national track cycling icon Mohd Azizulhasni Awang as one of the most decorated recipients in the award’s history.
The winners each received a trophy and RM10,000 cash prize presented by Youth and Sports Minister Dr Mohammed Tafiq Johari.
