S'porean Marissa Hafezan, 19, wins S'pore's first gold in karate since 1993

After more than 30 years, Singapore has won a karate gold medal at the 2025 Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games).

In the women's kumite 55kg final, 19-year-old Marissa Hafezan beat Vietnam's Nguyen Thi Dieu Ly 5-3 to seal the victory in her first-ever SEA Games.

The last time Singapore won a gold medal in karate was in 1993, when Neo Ah Suan won the women's kumite 60kg event.

Hafezan's gold is also Singapore's first medal for karate at the SEA Games in 14 years.

As of Dec. 12 4:30pm, Hafezan's gold brings Singapore's medal tally up to 10 gold, 12 silver and 15 bronze.

Recap of 2025 SEA Games

Top photos via Karate-Do Union of Singapore/Facebook