Recurve archers fail to hit bullseye in individual events
IT used to be an event that Malaysia were certain of a 1-2 finish.
Not any more.
Malaysia have now failed to win the men’s individual recurve gold for the second successive SEA Games.
Former world No. 3 Khairul Anuar Mohamed, who last won it for Malaysia in 2013, could only manage the silver after going down tamely 6-2 to Vietnamese Chu Duc Anh h in the final at the Nationa al Archery Range in Bukit Jalil lil yesterday.
The victory was surely extra special for the 21-year-old Duc Anh.
He became the first Vietnamese champion and medallist in the event since archery was first contested 1977.
To rub salt in the wound, Duc Anh is a virtually unknown and unranked archer in the world.
Khairul gave no excuse for his failure.
“I want to say sorry to all Malaysians for letting them down today,” he said.
“I did encounter problems with my equipment, but I won’t use that as an excuse. But I’m still content to be competing in yet another SEA Games final (he also won the silver at Indonesia 2011).”
A After missing out on the first go old target, Khairul believes failure is no more an option when he leads Malaysia in the team event today.t
National Archery AssociationAsso of Malaysia (NAAM) are relying heavily on the men’s recurve to meet their four-gold target, as the women’s side are relatively weaker compared to Indonesia and Vietnam.
“We were told by the association to get the gold at all costs,” said Khairul.
“I think that goes without saying as our pride as one of the strongest team in the region is on the line.” Debutant Muhd Akmal Nor Hasrin, who finished second to Khairul in the morning’s ranking round, did well to make the semi-finals before losing to Duc Anh 6-2.
But his hopes of securing at least a bronze were dashed as he went down 6-2 to defending champion Witthaya Thamwong of Thailand.
Prior to Khairul’s triumph in 2013, Cheng Chu Sian has won it three times at Korat 2007, Laos 2009 and Palembang 2011.
Nur Aliya Ghapar contributed a bronze in the women’s division following a 6-0 thrashing of Thida Nwe of Myanmar.
The feat made her the first Malaysian medal winner in the event since 2009.