KUALA LUMPUR: Harith Danial Jefri and Nathalie Sim trained for only a week, yet it was enough to secure Sarawak's first squash title at the Malaysia Games (Sukma) in Kuching today.
The Miri-born Harith and Nathalie secured the mixed doubles gold medal following a hard-fought 11-9, 8-11, 11-9 victory over Melaka's Andrik Lim and U. Thanussa at the Sarawak Squash Centre.
Harith's win caps an impressive month, having secured a full scholarship to study at the West England University in Bristol after claiming bronze in the men's individual event at the World Junior Championships in Houston.
Opting to focus on the mixed doubles at Sukma, Harith-Nathalie overcame the odds, having only trained together for a week.
The final was a tense affair, with the pairs locked at 8-8 in the deciding game before Harith-Nathalie pulled away to seal the title.
"Nathalie and I had limited time to train due to our commitments, but we remained confident and gave our best in every match," said Harith.
"This victory will boost my confidence as I aim for a second title for Sarawak in the men's doubles with Altamis Aqhar Sallam Sufian."
Harith, who is set to leave for Bristol next month to pursue a degree in business administration at West England University, expressed excitement about the next chapter in his life.
"I'm thrilled to receive this full scholarship. I'll be in Bristol for the next four years, playing squash and studying. It's reassuring to know that fellow national junior players C. Ameeshenraj and Darren Rahul Pragasam will be there as well."
Despite his mixed doubles success, Harith quickly returned to the court alongside Altamis to secure a spot in the men's doubles semi-finals, defeating Penang's M. Kreethi Pillay-Wi Yan Tho 11-10, 11-9.
For Nathalie, the gold medal holds special significance as she bids farewell to Sukma, with plans to return to the United States to complete her studies.
"Retaining the gold means everything to me, especially as this is my last Sukma outing," said the 21-year-old.
Sarawak also celebrated a bronze medal in the mixed doubles, with Altamis-Eugenia David overcoming Sabah's Tristan Andreas Muyou Angkaus-Doyce Lee 11-6, 10-11, 11-6.