Ezuan tops in 50m rifle
WHEN rifle shooter Ezuan Nasir Khan was dropped from the Podium Programme in February, and the setback made him determined to prove everyone wrong.
Ezuan decided to go back to basics. He even learned the right method to assemble and dismantle his rifle under the watchful eyes of South Korean coaches Park Sang Soon and Kong Hyun Ah, along with local trainer Sabki Din.
All his efforts paid off yesterday when the 28-year-old edged Singapore’s Ong Jun Hong to deliver Malaysia’s first ever Sea Games gold medal in the men’s 50m rifle prone event at Subang Shooting Range.
Ezuan, a silver medallist in the same event at the 2014 Incheon Asian Games, posted a 242.80 total after 24 rounds to overcome silver medallist Jun Hong (239.50) by 3.30 points for the title.
Myanmar’s Kaung Htike took the bronze medal with 220.20.
It was a yo-yo elimination final round, as all three shooters took turns to lead the field with Ezuan going top from the 22nd round onwards.
It was Ezuan’s first ever Sea Games title since making his debut in the 2011 Indonesia edition.
“When I was dropped from the P o d i u m P r ogramme, I felt that I needed to bounce back and prove to myself that I can do better,” said Ezuan, who failed to win a medal in Tuesday’s 10m air rifle event, yesterday.
“I was then given a second chance when I was absorbed into the ‘Kita Juara’ programme and I worked very hard from then on.
“I must thank my coaches – Sang Soon, Hyun Ah and Sabki – for being there for me during difficult times. They supported me all the way, and today they are here to enjoy this win with me.
“This win will motivate me further as I aim to compete in next year’s Gold Coast Commonwealth Games and Indonesia Asian Games.”
Through his renewed confidence, Ezuan broke the national record twice this year from 244.70 in the Tun Hanif Trophy in March to 247.30 in the Southeast Asian Shooting Championships (SEASA) in May.
On the final, Ezuan said he just put to practice what his coaches had advised him to do in training.
“They just told me to treat every short like it was my final attempt. Although, I had a good lead after the 23rd attempt, I still kept my focus and used all my experiences to make sure I hit the target on my final attempt.
“My family is here today and they gave me the added motivation. I am happy to have won as I failed to do it in the air rifle in front of my family,” Ezuan added.
Malaysia added a bronze yesterday in the women’s 10m air pistol through Bibiana Ng who shot a 212 total. Myanmar May Poe Wah won with 234.40 points, followed by Vietnam’s Le Thi Linh Chi (232.10). Ajitpal Singh