At the 7th edition of the Sukan Institusi Pendidikan Tinggi (SUKIPT) 2026, APU finished 24th overall out of 64 institutions, winning seven medals — one gold, four silver, and two bronze — across 12 sports, with Low Yu Xuan securing APU’s sole gold in Table Tennis Women’s Singles, Kelly Teo Yao winning three silvers in Swimming, Dakshayani Thangaraja earning a silver in Squash, and Muhammad Arif Zulfikry (Swimming) and Evan Timothy Hariadi (Karate) each claiming a bronze.

Driven by an unyielding spirit and fuelled by fierce determination, Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) unleashed a storm of athletic brilliance at the 7th Sukan Institusi Pendidikan Tinggi (SUKIPT) 2026, held at Universiti Malaya (UM) from 28 August to 6 September 2026.

Stepping into the arena with unprecedented ambition, team APU significantly expanded its sporting footprint from the seven sports contested during the previous edition two years ago.

This year, a formidable 150-strong contingent of APU student-athletes and officials fielded contenders across 12 disciplines. 

The expanded lineup included Volleyball, Basketball, Badminton, Squash, Table Tennis, Karate, Taekwondo, Chess, Pickleball, Golf, Netball, and Swimming.

Facing off against elite rivals from 64 higher education institutions across 30 sports, APU’s student-athletes demonstrated relentless resilience, ultimately securing an impressive 24th place overall on the national leaderboard with a total haul of seven medals, comprising one gold, four silver, and two bronze.

The tournament’s defining highlight belonged to table tennis sensation Low Yu Xuan in the Women’s Singles event. 

In a masterclass of composure, skill, and unflinching determination, Yu Xuan stormed her way through the competition to capture APU’s crowning achievement and first gold medal of the tournament. 

Her electrifying performance sent waves of inspiration through the university as she secured her place at the absolute pinnacle of the podium.

The quest for silverware continued across multiple arenas with a series of hard-fought silver medal performances.

In a relentless Squash Women’s Singles campaign, Dakshayani Thangaraja battled through grueling rallies and formidable opposition to claim a brilliant silver medal.

Meanwhile, water student-athlete Kelly Teo Yao delivered a stellar performance in the pool, conquering physical limits to scoop an astonishing three silver medals across the 200m Backstroke, 200m Freestyle, and 400m Freestyle events.

Adding further luster to the university’s total tally, two extraordinary athletes pushed past exhaustion to secure hard-earned bronze medals. 

Swimming standout Muhammad Arif Zulfikry showcased exceptional tactical grit in the pool, powering through to capture a bronze medal in the 200m Backstroke.

In a thrilling display of martial precision, Karate student-athlete Evan Timothy Hariadi fought his way to another bronze medal for APU in the heavy-hitting Kumite +84kg category.

Reflecting on the emotional journey, Mr Ahmad Mohammad, Assistant Manager of Sports Development & Student Engagement, emphasized that the high-stakes campaign meant far more than numbers on a scoreboard. 

He shared that beyond the medals and rankings, SUKIPT 2026 provided invaluable opportunities for students to test their limits at the highest level, forge unbroken team bonds, and build lifelong friendships with peers nationwide while embodying APU’s core values of excellence, perseverance, and holistic growth.

This remarkable success was powered by a dedicated support system working tirelessly behind the scenes. 

The Student Engagement department expressed its sincere appreciation to all athletes, coaches, team managers, support staff, and university management for their unwavering commitment throughout the competition. 

Heartfelt gratitude was also extended to key team advisors, including Dr Nennie Trianna Rosli for Pickleball, Mr Saifullizan Abdul Wahab for Golf, Ms Zety Marlia Zainal Abidin for Netball, and Mr Wee Poh Loke for Table Tennis, whose guidance and presence proved vital to their respective teams. 

Additionally, special recognition was accorded to Mr Muhammad Azizi Zakaria from the Technology Services, who joined the contingent on the ground to provide operational support that ensured seamless coordination throughout the tournament.

As the curtains fell on SUKIPT 2026, APU celebrated not just the hardware brought home, but the heart, unity, and unyielding spirit of every individual who wore the university colours, remaining steadfast in its commitment to nurturing champion student-athletes for future editions.