From the swimming pool to the chessboard and fencing piste, our GIS Dragons are making their mark on Malaysia’s national sporting stage.
Garden International School (GIS) is proud to celebrate our student-athletes who delivered outstanding performances at SUKMA 2026, earning medals across swimming, chess and fencing while representing Wilayah Persekutuan and Sabah.
Held once every two years, the Sukan Malaysia (SUKMA) Games bring together state-selected athletes from across the country to compete in a wide range of sports. The competition demands dedication, discipline and resilience, qualities our students demonstrated as they represented their states with pride.
Making a Splash in the Pool
Two of our GIS Dragons Excellence Award winners, Qin Lynn and E-An, represented Wilayah Persekutuan (MSWPKL) in swimming, delivering impressive performances across relay and individual events.
Qin Lynn: Silver on the National Stage
- Silver | Women’s 4x100m Freestyle Relay
Qin Lynn helped Wilayah Persekutuan secure silver in the Women’s 4x100m Freestyle Relay. Her achievement highlights the importance of teamwork, consistency and discipline in competitive swimming, where every team member plays a vital role in achieving a shared goal.
E-An: Two Bronze Medals and a Personal Best
- Bronze | Men’s 4x100m Freestyle Relay
- Bronze | Men’s 50m Freestyle | 23.37 seconds — Personal Best
E-An enjoyed an outstanding SUKMA campaign, earning two bronze medals for Wilayah Persekutuan. He also recorded a new personal best of 23.37 seconds in the Men’s 50m Freestyle, marking an important milestone in his swimming journey.
His performances reflect the determination to keep improving, push personal limits and pursue excellence through focused preparation and perseverance.
Max: Representing Perak with Determination
- State representative | Men’s 400m and 800m Freestyle
Max represented Perak in the 400m and 800m Freestyle events at SUKMA 2026, taking on two demanding races that require endurance, careful pacing and mental strength.
Competing at this level provided Max with valuable experience against the country’s top state-selected athletes. While his race times were above his personal bests, his participation reflects the commitment involved in stepping onto the national stage, embracing new challenges and continuing to develop as a swimmer.
Distance swimming requires athletes to manage their energy, maintain focus over extended periods and navigate the physical and mental demands of competition. Experiences like these offer important opportunities to reflect, learn and build towards future goals.
From the Chessboard to the Piste
Our GIS students also demonstrated their skill and competitive spirit in chess and fencing, earning podium finishes while representing their respective states.
Claire: A Strategic Silver for WPKL
- Silver | Women’s Team Chess
Claire earned silver in the Women’s Team Chess event, contributing to Wilayah Persekutuan’s seventh silver medal of the Games.
Chess requires players to think critically, anticipate their opponents’ moves and make considered decisions under pressure. Competing as part of a team also calls for collaboration, patience and a shared commitment to success.
Claire’s achievement celebrates the value of strategic thinking and composure, qualities that are equally valuable in academic learning and everyday life.
Zahn: Double Bronze on the Fencing Piste
- Bronze | Men’s Epee Individual
- Bronze | Men’s Epee Team
Zahn secured two bronze medals in Men’s Epee, achieving podium finishes in both the Individual and Team events while representing Sabah.
Fencing demands precision, quick reactions and tactical awareness, with athletes constantly adapting to their opponents’ movements. Competing in both individual and team events also requires personal accountability and the ability to contribute towards a shared goal.
Zahn’s double-medal achievement highlights the importance of focus, adaptability and resilience in a fast-paced competitive environment.
Beyond the Medals: Qualities That Drive Success
While medals are a wonderful recognition of sporting achievement, the qualities developed through competition are just as valuable.
Across swimming, chess and fencing, our student-athletes demonstrate the importance of:
- Discipline and perseverance: Committing to consistent practice and working towards ambitious goals.
- Resilience and mental strength: Staying focused under pressure and learning from challenges.
- Teamwork and collaboration: Recognising the value of individual contributions towards collective success.
- Strategic thinking and adaptability: Making considered decisions and responding effectively to changing situations.
- Continuous improvement: Striving to reach new milestones, whether through a personal best or a podium finish.
These qualities extend beyond sport, helping students develop the confidence, determination and sense of responsibility to navigate challenges in their academic journeys and beyond.
At GIS, we are proud to celebrate students who pursue their passions with commitment, embrace opportunities to challenge themselves and represent their communities with distinction.
Congratulations to Qin Lynn, E-An, Max, Claire and Zahn on your outstanding achievements at SUKMA 2026! Your dedication, resilience and pursuit of excellence make the entire GIS community proud.
Discover how Garden International School nurtures a love for sports and empowers students to be confident and resilient. Contact our Admissions team today to learn more about joining the GIS community.