Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, July 1, 2025: Malaysia’s water ski ace Aaliyah Yoong Hanifah completed a golden grand slam in the IWWF Asian Waterski Championships in Bangkok from June 24-29.
Aaliyah, 21, finished the meet with four gold medals in the women’s open category – slalom, jump, tricks and overall – to achieve this feat for the third time following similar clean sweeps at Thailand 2019 and Korea 2022.
Her golden haul also helped Malaysia win the overall team title for the first time, ahead of Japan and Korea.
“We are very proud of the team,” said national head coach Hanifah Yoong Yin Fah, Aaliyah’s father.
“Aaliyah is now at the peak of her performance and is even helping guide her younger brothers, who have grown strong enough to beat top Asian male skiers.”
Aaliyah’s brother Aiden, 19, won two gold medals in men’s tricks and overall and set a new national record of 5,700 points in tricks. He also won two bronze medals in slalom and jump.
Another brother, Adam, 17, added a bronze in men’s tricks.
Aaliyah first came to prominence when representing Malaysia in the OCA’s second Asian Beach Games at Muscat, Oman in 2010 at the age of seven and has since gone on to a trophy-filled career.