Yabuli, China, February 9, 2025: The President of the Olympic Council of Malaysia, Dr. Norza Zakaria, has congratulated alpine skier Aruwin Salehhuddin on her remarkable achievement at the 9th Asian Winter Games.
Aruwin, 21, finished fourth in a field of 45 athletes from 16 National Olympic Committees in the women’s slalom at the Alpine Skiing Slalom Stadium in Yabuli on Saturday, February 8.
Malaysia’s first female Olympian in winter sports, having qualified for the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, was one of four skiers from Southeast Asia alongside Tallulah Proulux (Philippines), Karyssa Vasavanont (Thailand) and Phichayaporn Thipkesore (Thailand). She finished fourth with a time of 1:36.74, just 1.82 seconds behind the bronze medallist.
“On behalf of NOC Malaysia, I would like to express my heartfelt congratulations to Aruwin on her remarkable achievement in her first appearance at the Asian Winter Games,” said Dr. Norza, who is also OCA Vice President for the Southeast Asia zone.
"Not only was she the first Malaysian female athlete to qualify for Alpine Skiing at the Olympic Winter Games, but she is now also the first to compete in the same sport at the Asian Winter Games.
“We are extremely proud of her fourth-place achievement, finishing less than two seconds behind the bronze medallist.
“Aruwin has a bright future ahead, as she is only 21 years old this year. NOC Malaysia will write to the Minister of Youth and Sports to consider providing additional financial support to assist her in qualifying for the next Olympic Winter Games as well as the Asian Winter Games.”
Later in the evening, Dr. Norza had the honour of presenting medals to the winners of the women’s slalom at the Yabuli Medals Plaza. Chisaki Maeda (Japan) won gold, followed by Gim Sohui (Korea) and Eren Watanabe (Japan).
