Young, determined and making Malaysia proud

In conjunction with International Day of the Girl Child, FMT celebrates five talented young Malaysians who are making their mark through passion, determination and extraordinary achievements. PETALING JAYA: For generations, girls were often given fewer opportunities than boys, their ambitions limited by stereotypical expectations of what they should become.

Across Malaysia today, girls are showing what they can achieve when given the chance - from winning gymnastics gold overseas to publishing a book at five and shining on international stages through dance and song.

This International Day of the Girl Child, FMT Lifestyle celebrates five young Malaysians whose achievements show why every girl deserves the chance to pursue her dreams.

1. Kimberly Chan: hitting the high notes abroad

Singer Kimberly Chan has made Malaysia proud on international stages. (East United International Music Competition pic) Kimberly Chan’s voice has taken her from Malaysia to a prestigious stage in Germany.

On April 1, she performed “Part of Your World” from Disney’s “The Little Mermaid” at the Kammermusiksaal within Berlin’s Philharmonie after winning first prize at the 2026 International Music Competition Berlin “Grand Prize Virtuoso”. She was only 11.

When FMT Lifestyle spoke with her later that month, she had already won 14 other international vocal awards in 2026 alone.

She also regularly takes part in Cempaka Performing Arts Company’s (CPAC) musical productions and has represented Malaysia abroad as part of its Vocal Pizzest Show Choir. Her ambitions reach further still: she hopes to perform on Broadway or London’s West End someday.

2. Yoshnaa Logenthiran: dancing past disappointment

After setbacks at home, Yoshnaa Logenthiran found her moment to shine at her first international competition. (Andrea Edmonds @ FMT Lifestyle) Several local competitions had ended without a win for Yoshnaa Logenthiran. But she refused to give up.

The Klang girl, who was 11 when FMT Lifestyle featured her in April, eventually earned a place to compete at The Dance of Asia 2026 in Chengdu, China.

Nervous at her international debut, the K-pop dance enthusiast imagined she was practising alone, steadied herself and kept going even after missing a step.

The result? She clinched gold in the 11-12 age group. She also went on to win silver in The Champion of Asia 2026, which brought together top performers from dance, vocals, music and other categories.

For Yoshnaa, persistence finally brought the breakthrough she had worked towards.

3. Malaiqa An’noura Azila: tiny gymnast, golden debut

Malaiqa An’noura Azila brought home two golds from the Shine Cup International Rhythmic Gymnastics Competition 2026. (Malaiqa An’noura Azila Instagram pics) At just five, Malaiqa An’noura Azila returned from an international gymnastics competition in Korea with two gold medals.

She competed in the Under-6 category at the Shine Cup International Rhythmic Gymnastics Competition 2026, held from late July to early August.

In an Instagram post, her mother shared that Malaiqa was nervous about competing abroad for the first time. Even so, before leaving for Korea, she had told her mother she wanted to win gold for Malaysia, not just herself.

Malaiqa’s two gold medals mark a promising beginning - who knows how far her determination will take her.

4. Heyra Jeganath: little author with big feelings

Heyra Jeganath became a published author at five with ‘Heyra, the Big Sister’. (Pooja Beesoon pic) Even at a tender age, Heyra Jeganath had a story worth telling. “Heyra, the Big Sister” grew from her feelings about being separated from her mother and younger sister, both of whom were hospitalised following her sister’s premature birth.

Her mother, Pooja Beesoon, recorded her daughter’s thoughts. Later, they worked together to turn those feelings into a book, with Heyra retelling the experience in her own words.

Published on Heyra’s fifth birthday last December, it earned her recognition from the Malaysia Book of Records as the youngest author in the country as reported by FMT in February.

Her achievement began with something simple: an adult making space for a child’s voice.

5. Asyiil Raziin Razman: swimming her way to confidence

Swimming has helped Asyiil Raziin Razman believe in herself while giving her opportunities to represent Malaysia. (Asyiil Raziin Razman pic) Swimming began as rehabilitation for Asyiil Raziin Razman, who was born with learning difficulties. It soon became a passion.

Asyiil, who was 16 when featured by FMT Lifestyle in August, made a splash at the 2024 Para Sukma in Sarawak, winning gold in the women’s S14 100m freestyle with a time of 1:23:35, smashing the Games record of 1:26:29 set two years earlier.

She also received the Anugerah Puteri Para at the Anugerah Sukan KPM-MSSM-Milo 2025. Asyiil shared that swimming has taught her discipline, patience and self-confidence.

Once afraid and unsure of herself, she now believes in her abilities and finds the courage to keep trying.

Indeed, the achievements of these girls offer a powerful reminder: give a girl the chance to pursue her interests, and there’s no telling how far she’ll go.