Ezuan’s the one!
Rifle shooter shows what he’s made of after golden feat
AFTER being dropped from the Podium Programme in February, rifle shooter Muhd Ezuan Nasir Khan knew he must show what he was capable of.
And the 28-year-old chose the right stage – the KL SEA Games – to prove a point when he clinched the 50m rifle prone gold medal at the National Shooting Range in Subang yesterday.
Ezuan was a model of consistency as he gunned down a total of 242.8 points to finish ahead of Singapore’s Ong Jun Hong (239.5). Myanmar’s Kaung Htike (220.2) took bronze.
Ezuan didn’t have it all his way as he was actually third after seven rounds.
But he kept his cool to finish strongly while the Singapore and Myanmar shooters faltered.
This is Ezuan’s first SEA Games gold after falling short in three previous editions.
It is also Malaysia’s first-ever gold in the 50m rifle prone. The event used to be dominated by the Vietnamese and Thais.
Malaysia’s previous best in the event was a silver by Shahril Sahak in 2011.
“I’m relieved I won. I worked hard to keep my focus right until the last shot,” said Ezuan, who also holds the national record of 247.3 points.
“I’m really grateful to all those who have supported me. Being axed from the Podium Programme earlier this year served as a big wake-up call for me.
“I wasn’t trying to prove anyone wrong today. I just wanted to prove to myself that I still have what it takes to step up and move forward. And to win Malaysia’s first gold in this event is really the icing on the cake.”
While Ezuan was riding high, there was only disappointment for veteran Nur Suryani Mohd Taibi and Haslisa Hamed, who fired blanks in the women’s 50m rifle prone.
The 34-year-old Suryani, who won the event in 2005, was way off target and could only finish eighth out of nine shooters with 601.7. Haslisa fared a little better, finishing sixth with 605.3.
Thailand’s Ratchadaporn Plengsaengthong took gold with 619.8 points, followed by compatriot Supamas Wankaew (617.7). Teresa Acuna of the Philippines (612.9) took bronze.
In women’s 10m air pistol, veteran Bibiana Ng finished with a bronze with 212 points.
Myanmar’s May Poe Wah (234.4) claimed gold while Vietnam’s Le Thi Linh Chi (232.1) took silver.
“It’s my first individual medal since 2009. I’m quite pleased with my effort,” said the 40-year-old Bibiana.