Malaysian judoka Amir Daniel Abdul Majeed secured a historic milestone at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games on Saturday, winning the nation’s first-ever gold medal in the sport. The 21-year-old athlete triumphed in the men’s under-81kg category at the Scottish Event Campus, defeating South Africa’s Timothy Meuwsen in the final. Amir Daniel utilized a precise kata-guruma technique to score a waza-ari, clinching the victory in the four-minute bout. This win marks a significant achievement for Malaysia, as it is the first time a Malaysian judoka has stood on the top tier of the Commonwealth Games podium.
The victory was particularly emotional for the Penangite, who has balanced a demanding schedule of professional training, academic studies, and family responsibilities. Ranked 117th in the world, Amir Daniel’s path to the gold included a semi-final win against Australia’s Keishin Ochi. His success in Glasgow follows a bronze medal performance at the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games, signaling a steady rise in his international standing. The gold medal represents the eighth for the Malaysian contingent at the current Games, further bolstering the country’s performance in Scotland.
Reflecting on his journey, Amir Daniel highlighted the personal sacrifices required to reach this level of competition. He noted that the financial and time-related pressures often limited his ability to spend time with his family. Following the win, he expressed a desire to take a brief period of rest to reconnect with his loved ones. The achievement has been widely celebrated as a new national benchmark for judo in Malaysia, reflecting the dedication of the athlete and his support team.