Khairul fails to overcome Kazakh archer in quarter-finals

SENIOR Khaiirul Anuar Mohamaad (pic) may havee beaten most off the world’s top archers in hiss career but he juust couldn’t find a way to overcome rivals from Kazakhstan.

The 26-year-old Khairul failed in his bid to win medal in the men’s recurve individual after going down 3-7 (27-29, 29-29, 29-28, 25-28, 26-30) to Ilfat Abdullin of Kazakhstan in the quarter-finals at the GBK Archery Field in Jakarta yesterday.

The result marked no improvement as Khairul also reached the last eight in Incheon four years ago.

The 2011 Asian champion Khairul had lost to Kazakhstan’s established members such as Denis Gankin and Sultan Duzelbayev in other international competitions.

The 20-year-old Ilfat is the newest national team member and is only ranked No. 81 in the world.

“I’ve met Kazakhstan archers many times and they’re good, steady and are blessed with good skills,” Khairul admitted.

“I have lost to another fine archer today. He performed to near perfection.

“I’m disappointed but I’ve to move on because there’s still team event which is our priority.”

Khairul will team up with Muhd Akmal Nor Hasrin and Haziq Kamaruddin in the team event tomorrow as the trio bid to retain their silver won in Incheon.

Malaysia will open their campaign against 12th seeds Iran and a win should set them up for a rematch of 2014 final against fourth seeds China.

Should they make it that far, the star-studded South Korean side, who boast Olympic and world champions Oh Jin-hyek, Im Donghyun and Lee Woo-seok await them in the semi-finals.