Contrasting fates for three M’sian archers

KUALA LUMPUR: Three national men archers had contrasting fates in the preliminary round of the Archery World Cup Third Stage Tournament in Salt Lake City, United States, on Wednesday (Thursday in Malaysia).

Podium Programme athlete Muhammad Akmal Nor Hasrin, who received a bye in the opening round, was in his own element after whitewashing Brad Fulsang of Canada 6-0 in the second round match, according to the World Archery website, www.worldarchery.org.

Another Podium Programme athlete Haziq Kamaruddin, however, failed to impress, losing 4-6 to a Belgian archer, Ben Adriaensen, in another second-round match.

Youngster Muhamad Zarif Syahiir Zolkepeli, who is making his second appearance in the World Cup event after the Turkey meet last month, lost 2-6 to Arsalan Baldanov of Russia in the second round.

National Olympian Khairul Anuar Mohamad, who received a bye in the first and second rounds, will take on Jeff Henckels later today after the Luxembourg athlete defeated Thomas Stanwood of the United States 7-3 in another second-round encounter.

Muhammad Akmal, Haziq and Khairul Anuar was scheduled to team up and face either Mexico or Japan in the quarter-final match in the men’s team event yesterday. Malaysia only sent representatives to the men’s recurve in the tournament.