Esther (front row leftmost) with her teammates after the SEA Games 2025 medal ceremony.

Esther Joy Chen Hong Li claimed two bronze medals in her second Southeast Asian (SEA) Games campaign in the 33rd edition of the event held in Thailand from 9 – 20 December 2025.

The TAR UMT Diploma in Sports and Exercise Science student, together with her teammates came through in the aquathlon (swim and run) mixed team relay and triathlon mixed team relay events to contribute the two medals to Malaysia’s total medal tally. This accomplishment was an improvement from Esther’s previous outing in the SEA Games 2021 held in Vietnam, where she finished sixth in the team triathlon event.

“I am happy to have won two medals for myself and my country, but it was a little disappointing I was ill before the final women’s individual triathlon event or it could have been three medals!

“However, this accomplishment is motivating me to prepare for the next SEA Games to be held in Malaysia in 2027, and I am looking forward to showing my best performance, redeem myself, and see where I stand amongst the best in Southeast Asia, especially on my home ground!” said Esther.