Inspiring stories of courage, perseverance, and triumph are written every day by female athletes who push beyond limits and redefine what is possible. With passion and grit, they have risen in their sports, breaking barriers and proving that strength knows no boundaries. Whether on the field, in the pool, on the track, or in the ring, these athletes symbolise resilience and hope, paving the way for future generations to dream bigger and aim higher. In this issue, Top 10 of Asia shares its list of the top 10 most inspiring female athletes in Malaysia, celebrating their remarkable journeys, outstanding achievements, and the powerful impact they continue to make on and off the sporting stage.
Nurul Izzah Izzati Mohd Asri
Nurul Izzah Izzati Mohd Asri began riding at just 11, exploring road bikes, mountain bikes and BMX before turning her focus to track cycling at 14, and remarkably, she had already clinched bronze in mountain biking at Sukma Sarawak 2016 when she was only 13 and her first gold medal when she was 15 at Sukma Perak. Her momentum never slowed—taking silver in the 500m time trial at Sukma Perak 2018, then striking gold in Sprint and bronze in Keirin at the 2022 Asian Cycling Championships. In 2024, she proudly made her Olympic debut in Paris, marking a big milestone in her cycling journey. But it was 2025 that cemented her place in history: at the Asian Championships in Nilai, she delivered a stunning performance with two golds, one silver and one bronze, shocking the world by defeating the reigning World Champion in Keirin and setting a new Asian record for the 1km time trial.
Nur Shazrin Mohamad Latif
Nur Shazrin Mohamad Latif’s rise as Malaysia’s national sailor began with a breakthrough gold medal at the 2015 SEA Games in the Women’s Youth Laser Radial event. The following year, in 2016, she made history as the first Malaysian female sailor to qualify for the Olympic Games, competing in Rio. Her success continued with a bronze medal at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta, further cementing her place among Asia’s sailing elite. In 2020, she carried her Olympic legacy forward by representing Malaysia once again at the Tokyo Games. Her proudest victory came at the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, where she won a gold medal in the Women’s ILCA 6 class, securing Malaysia’s first gold medal of the Games. In 2024, she was honoured as one of Malaysia’s flagbearers at the Paris Olympic Games and celebrated a Top 10 global finish at the SSL Gold Cup, affirming her stature as a beacon of sporting greatness.
Nur Dhabitah Sabri
Nur Dhabitah Sabri is one of Malaysia’s most accomplished springboard divers and a three-time Olympian. On the international stage she’s a consistent medal winner. At the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham Dhabitah won silver in the women’s 3m springboard and the 3m synchro with Ng Yan Yee, plus a bronze in the mixed 3m synchro – achievements reflected in her World Aquatics medal record. She also contributed to Malaysia’s podium finishes at the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, securing silver in the women’s 3m synchro and bronze in the 10m synchro. Dhabitah’s pathway to Paris 2024 was dramatic. Awarded an unused Olympic quota late in the selection window, she seized the opportunity, reached the women’s 3m springboard final and finished 12th. She displayed resilience after setbacks and injury interruptions earlier in her career. Known for a bright, bubbly and determined presence on and off the board, Nur Dhabitah remains a leading figure in Malaysian diving and an inspiring example for young athletes.
Nor Diana binti Khamaruzaman
Nor Diana binti Khamaruzaman, better known as Nor Phoenix Diana, has made history as the world’s first hijab-wearing professional wrestler. She began her journey in 2015 in the Malaysian wrestling industry, training under founder and pioneer Ayez Shaukat-Fonseka Farid, where she honed her craft with passion and determination. In 2019, she shocked the wrestling world and shot to viral fame by defeating four men to capture a Malaysian Wrestling Championship, becoming the first-ever female to do so. Her fearless spirit carried her to the international stage, taking her to countries such as Singapore, Philippines, Dubai, China and many more. Among her highlights are working with Pro-Wrestling: EVE, a renowned British independent women’s professional wrestling promotion, Tokyo Joshi Pro Wrestling in Japan, and Reality of Wrestling in America and recently becoming no. 1 contender to the WWE ID Women’s Championship. Recognised on the Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia list, Nor Diana stands as a trailblazer, breaking barriers and inspiring women worldwide.
Shereen Samson Vallabouy
Shereen Samson Vallabouy is rewriting Malaysian athletics history with her blazing speed and relentless determination. Specialising in the 400m, she is not only Malaysia’s pride but also a force to be reckoned with on the international track. Shereen currently holds the Malaysian outdoor 400m record with a remarkable 51.79s and the indoor record at 53.79s, cementing her status as the fastest woman Malaysia has ever produced in the event. In 2025, she clinched her first title of the year at the Embry-Riddle Running Elements Classic in Florida, storming to gold in the women’s 400m with an impressive 53.72s. Her grit and consistency also earned her a prestigious bronze medal in the 400m final at the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, a feat that further solidified her name among Asia’s finest. Shereen stands as a shining symbol of speed, power and Malaysian excellence.
Pandelela Rinong
Pandelela Rinong is a pioneering Malaysian diver whose name is etched in sporting history. She first dazzled the nation with four golds at the Asian Junior Aquatics Championships. After joining the national team, she made her Olympic debut in Beijing 2008. In London 2012, she became Malaysia’s first female athlete to win an Olympic medal, claiming bronze in the 10m platform, before adding Olympic silver in the 10m synchronised platform at Rio 2016. She also earned Malaysia’s first diving medal at the World Aquatics Championships in the synchronised event in 2009. A Commonwealth Games gold followed in 2010, and in 2021 she struck gold at the FINA Diving World Cup. Honoured with the Johan Bintang Kenyalang and with Sarawak’s aquatic centre renamed after her, Pandelela is truly an icon of Malaysian sport.
Sivasangari Subramaniam
Sivasangari Subramaniam is blazing a new chapter in Malaysian squash, her name now echoing on the global stage. She has proven herself a fearless competitor, consistently rising against the best in the game. Her breakthrough moments began with a gold medal at the 2017 SEA Games, followed by a silver at the 2018 Asian Games. At the Hangzhou 2022 Asian Games, she carried the honour of leading the Malaysian contingent and delivered history by clinching gold in the women’s singles. On the PSA World Tour, Sivasangari has soared even higher—winning the bronze-level Hong Kong Football Club Open and conquering the prestigious GillenMarkets London Classic in 2024. With her relentless drive and remarkable achievements, Sivasangari is not only reigniting Malaysia’s squash legacy but also carving her place among the sport’s global elite.
Pearly Tan and Thinaah Muralitharan
Pearly Tan and Thinaah Muralitharan have become Malaysia’s dynamic badminton duo, rewriting history with their fearless spirit and unstoppable bond. At the Paris 2024 Olympics, they etched their names in history as the first Malaysian women’s doubles pair to storm into the semi-finals, battling for a coveted bronze against one of Japan’s top-ranked pairs. Pearly, who holds the Guinness World Record for the fastest badminton hit (female), and Thinaah, her equally relentless partner, have built a remarkable legacy of being champions. Their breakthrough came in 2021 when they clinched their maiden BWF World Tour crown at the Swiss Open. They followed it up with more glory, including a sensational triumph at the 2022 French Open—the first ever by a Malaysian women’s doubles pair and gold at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. With every smash and rally, Pearly and Thinaah embody grit, history, and Malaysian pride on the world stage.
Ashley Lau
Ashley Lau has emerged as one of Malaysia’s brightest professional golfing stars, making waves on both the Epson Tour and WPGA Tour of Australasia. In 2024, she won the Women’s Victorian Open and recorded a runner-up finish at the Epson Tour Championship. That same year, she proudly represented Malaysia at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris and served as Malaysia’s flag bearer at the closing ceremony—a moment that inspired an entire nation. Ashley is the first Sarawakian to top Malaysia’s women’s national golf rankings and the first from her state to turn professional in women’s golf. She also was named Big Ten Golfer of the Year in 2022. With poise, precision, and an unshakable drive, Ashley Lau stands tall as a symbol of Malaysian pride on the global stage.
Grace Wong Xiu Mei
Grace Wong Xiu Mei has firmly cemented her status as Malaysia’s premier women’s hammer thrower, a true force of power and precision who continues to raise the bar for athletics in the nation. At the 2023 SEA Games held at Morodok Techo Stadium, she once again reigned supreme, successfully defending her gold medal while surpassing her own SEA Games record in spectacular fashion. This glorious victory added to her shining achievements at the 2017 Kuala Lumpur SEA Games and the 2022 Hanoi SEA Games, where she also captured gold with commanding performances. Beyond the SEA Games stage, Grace secured silver at the Hong Kong Athletics Championships and, at just 15, represented Malaysia at the 2015 Asian Athletics Championships in Wuhan, proving herself a remarkable inspiration to all.