Hasihin believes he has what it takes to beat the Thais

HASIHIN Sanawi ( pic) is keen to rediscover the form that saw him win the silver in the 2012 London Paralympics as he seeks to finally land a gold at the Asean Para Games.

The 34-year- old, making his fourth appearance in Kuala Lumpur, will compete in the men’s recurve individual elimination round today as the third seed behind two formidable Thais – world No. 1 Hareunchai Netsiri and No. 13 Boonyarit Chaipoon.

The odds are certainly stacked against Hasihin as Hareunchai and Boonyarit are the defending gold and silver medallists.

The Thais sounded an early warning when Hareunchai posted a 634 total from 72 arrows and Boonyarit totalled 626 to claim the top two positions in the ranking round at the Synthetic Turf Field, National Sports Council in Bukit Jalil yesterday.

Hasihin finished a distance aw way with a 595 total.

But world No. 23 Hasihin is unfazed by his rivals’ threat. “The ranking round scores count for nothing. It’sI the elimination round that matters,”m said Hasihin, who will begin his campaign against Ben Pouleng of Cambodia. “The two Thais are seasoned campaigners. Hareunchai won the past two Games and only just bagged a silver at the World Championships ( in Beijing last week). As their scores showed, they are really ‘fierce’.

“But I won’t be cowed by their reputations because I was once a runner-up at the Paralympics too. “I believe I have what it takes to challenge them. I’ll also have all the home supporters behind me and I hope to make the most of it.” Ahmad Jaffry Jamaluddin and S. Suresh were the other two Malaysians in action, finishing fifth and sixth in the qualifying standings.

In the women’s individual, debutant L. Ananthy shot 523 to be placed second behind leader Indonesian Veronica Ninik Umardyani (536).

Malaysia’s Rozana Mail was fifth with 446.

By emerging as the top Malaysian finisher, Ananthy has also earned her place in the mixed team which will see her partnering Hasihin tomorrow.

Meanwhile, compound archer Yuhaizam Yahaya will begin his title defence as the second seed.

He amassed 656 to finish the ranking round in second spot behind Thai land’s Aron Aungaphinan (671).

Nor Sa’adah Abdul Wahab, the silver medallist at the 2015 Singapore Asean Para Games, also did well to earn second seeding in the women’s compound archery.

She chalked up 634 points to finish behind defending champion Nur Syahidah Alim (666 points) of Singapore.