A bright start
Recurve archers reach knockout stage in Asian Championships
PETALING JAYA: The national men’s recurve team have made an encouraging start to the Asian Archery Championships in Bangladesh.
Khairul Anuar Mohamed, Haziq Kamaruddin and Muhd Akmal Nor Hasrin shot a 1,990 total to reach the knockout stage as the fourth best qualifiers in Dhaka yesterday.
Defending champions South Korea finished first with a 2,040 total ahead of India (2,006) and China (1,994) to secure the top seedings for tomorrow’s last 16.
Haziq was the best Malaysian performer, contributing 665 points to be placed 12th in the individual standings. Khairul chalked up a 663 total to be placed 15th while Akmal amassed 662 points for 17th spot.
Muhd Ikram Joni posted a non-counting 640 total for 39th spot.
Malaysia are expected beat the 13th seeds Philippines with ease in tomorrow’s last 16 to set up a last eight clash with Japan, the reigning silver medallists.
Malaysia whipped the Philippines 6-0 in the semi-finals of the Kuala Lumpur SEA Games in August.
For the individual elimination phase today, Haziq, Khairul and Akmal have all been given first-round byes.
Ikram is the only Malaysian to start from the first round. He takes on Mohammed Alhadher of Kuwait.
At the biennial championships in Teheran, Iran, in 2011, Malaysia recorded their best achievement with a two-gold show.
Khairul captured the individual crown and then teamed up with Haziq and Cheng Chu Sian to bag the team event.