Juwaidi and Fatin reach World Cup quarter-finals

PETALING JAYA: Compound archers Mohd Juwaidi Mazuki and Fatin Nurfatehah Mat Salleh underlined their credentials in the mixed team ahead of the Asian Games by reaching the quarter-finals at the World Cup in Shanghai before bowing out.

Two-time SEA Games gold medallists Juwaidi-Fatin fought gallantly in their narrow 154-156 defeat to world No. 2 Martin Damsbo-Tanja Jensen of Denmark.

Both pairs were tied 137-137 prior to the last two arrows. But just when it mattered most, Damsbo and Jensen shot a 10 and a 9 respectively to edge Fatin and Juwaidi, who could only muster 9 and 8 respectively.

“That’s archery,” admitted Fatin. “It takes just one slip-up. Still, reaching the quarter-finals is pretty decent considering all the top teams are competing here.”

Malaysia’s best outing in the compound mixed team was a fourth-place finish by Juwaidi and Nor Rizah Ishak, also in Shanghai, two years ago.

The compound mixed team’s last-eight effort was the only bright spot in the national team campaign this time.

Fatin, who led Malaysia to the historic women’s team title in the 2015 edition, failed to shine in earlier events.

She was ousted by unheralded Vietnamese Nguyen Thi Thanh Thao in the second round of the individual event and failed to strike it right in the team with Nor Rizah and Nurul Syazhera Mohd Asmi as they crashed out in the opening round to the United States.

“It has made up for our earlier disappointments. But it’s also a reminder that we do have a lot of catching up to do before the Asiad (in Jakarta in September),” said Fatin.

“Individual events are not contested in Jakarta, so we need to beef up our efforts in team events. I see ourselves as medal contenders.”