Cover Champion team of the Johor Super Crown Polo Tournament 2026, Royal Johor: Juan-Martin Nero, HRH Tunku Mahkota Ismail, Pablo Pieres and Juan Bautista Panzillo (Photo: Royal Press Office)
Champion team of the Johor Super Crown Polo Tournament 2026, Royal Johor: Juan-Martin Nero, HRH Tunku Mahkota Ismail, Pablo Pieres and Juan Bautista Panzillo (Photo: Royal Press Office)
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With six goals in the final and the MVP title to his name, HRH Tunku Mahkota Ismail leads Royal Johor to victory as the inaugural Johor Super Crown Polo Tournament comes to a triumphant close
The inaugural Johor Super Crown Polo Tournament (JSCPT) 2026 concluded at the Royal Polo Grounds, Istana Pasir Pelangi on September 6, with Royal Johor claiming the championship title in a closely contested final against Temasek.
The 10-7 victory was defined by a remarkable performance from His Royal Highness Tunku Mahkota Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, the Regent of Johor, who scored six goals in the sixth and final chukka to secure the win. Playing despite a hand injury, HRH was subsequently named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player in recognition of his performance and sportsmanship throughout the competition.
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Above L to R: YAD Datin Sharmin Fazlina Mohd Shukor, Her Highness Che’ Puan Mahkota Khaleeda, Tunku Khalsom Aminah Sofiah Tunku Ismail, Raja Muda Johor Tunku Iskandar Tunku Ismail, HRH Tunku Mahkota Ismail, Pablo Pieres, Juan-Martin Nero and Juan Bautista Panzillo
L to R: YAD Datin Sharmin Fazlina Mohd Shukor, Her Highness Che’ Puan Mahkota Khaleeda, Tunku Khalsom Aminah Sofiah Tunku Ismail, Raja Muda Johor Tunku Iskandar Tunku Ismail, HRH Tunku Mahkota Ismail, Pablo Pieres, Juan-Martin Nero and Juan Bautista Panzillo
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His Royal Highness was joined by Argentine polo player Pablo “Polito” Pieres, who contributed a hat-trick to Royal Johor’s winning score. The team’s honours were further underlined when HRH’s mount, Poliya Cara Pálida, was named Best Playing Pony.
HRH Tunku Mahkota Ismail's horse, Poliya Cara Pálida, was awarded the Best Playing Pony
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The result marks the culmination of an ambitious new chapter for polo in Johor. Held under the theme Legacy in Motion, JSCPT 2026 brought together five invitation-only teams and 190 horses, making it the largest and highest-handicap polo tournament held in Malaysia to date. The tournament was conceived around the shared vision of HRH Tunku Mahkota Ismail and Pieres, bringing together Johor’s longstanding royal polo heritage with an international field of players.
Above Winning shot: champions Royal Johor share the stage with runner-up Temasek after a spectacular showing at the inaugural Johor Super Crown Polo Tournament 2026 grand finale
Winning shot: champions Royal Johor share the stage with runner-up Temasek after a spectacular showing at the inaugural Johor Super Crown Polo Tournament 2026 grand finale
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Royal Johor finished ahead of Temasek in second place, while Korea Polo took third. The championship trophy itself reflected the tournament’s emphasis on heritage and craftsmanship. Created by Royal Insignia, the piece incorporates fine silver, 24-karat gold, rhodium, lapis lazuli and gemstones, with motifs drawn from Johor’s royal and polo traditions.
The closing ceremony was officiated by Che’ Puan Mahkota Khaleeda Johor, who presented the championship trophy, medals and MVP award. Members of the Johor royal family were also present, including Tunku Temenggong Johor Tunku Idris Iskandar Sultan Ibrahim, Tunku Panglima Johor Tunku Abdul Rahman Sultan Ibrahim, Tunku Putera Johor Tunku Abu Bakar Sultan Ibrahim, Raja Muda Johor Tunku Iskandar Tunku Ismail and Tunku Khalsom Aminah Sofiah Tunku Ismail.
HRH Tunku Mahkota Ismail receiving a warm reception at the Royal Pavilion viewing deck
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The occasion also brought together senior national and state figures, including Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin and Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi.
Beyond the competition itself, the tournament sought to position Johor as a destination for international polo and luxury sports tourism. The closing programme featured performances by the Johor Military Force brass band, the Royal Malaysia Police and the Johor Heritage Foundation, placing the sport within a broader celebration of Johor’s cultural identity and royal heritage.
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HRH Tunku Mahkota Ismail secured a double hat-trick with six spectacular goals in the sixth chukka
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For the Royal Johor Polo Club, which has been part of the state’s sporting heritage for more than a century, the inaugural JSCPT represents a contemporary expression of that legacy. It is one that looks beyond tradition to establish Johor on an increasingly international polo stage.
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Images: Royal Press Office
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