Kuala lumpur: Five world champions across different sports have been shortlisted for the 2025 Sportswriters Association of Malaysia (SAM)-100PLUS Best Athlete Award. According to BERNAMA News Agency, the spotlight is on women's wushu champion Tan Cheong Min, who secured three gold medals at the World Championship last year. Also in contention is the national mixed doubles pair, Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei, who clinched world champion status in France last August. The list is rounded off by women's lawn bowler Emma Firyana Saroji, victorious at the Lawn Bowling World Championship in Juara Stadium, Bukit Kiara, kegler Muhammad Rafiq Ismail, who took gold in the team event at the International Bowling Federation World Cup in Hong Kong, and silat exponent Mohd Abdul Latif Maxzakir, the 2024 pencak silat world champion. In the para-athlete category, three paralympians-Cheah Liek Hou (para badminton), Bonnie Bunyau Gustin (para powerlifting), and Datuk Abdul Latif Romly (para athletics)-will contend for the 2025 B est Para Athlete Award. They are joined by two para swimmers, Abdul Halim Mohammad and Carmen Lim. SAM president Norismadi Abd Manap announced that the winners of the two main categories will each receive RM10,000 in cash and a trophy at the awards ceremony scheduled for May 13 at a hotel. The awards will also recognize the contributions of sportswriters across six categories: Best News Report (Print Media), Best News Report (Electronic Media), Best News Commentary (Print Media), Best News Commentary (Electronic Media), Best Special Report (Open), and Best Sports Photography. The best overall winner in the sportswriters category will be honored with the Siebel Award, he revealed during a media conference.