Malaysia pip India to compound gold in Asia Cup
PETALING JAYA: The national women’s archery compound team hit the bull’s-eye in the Asia Cup in Bangkok Thailand.
The trio of Fatin Nurfatehah Mat Salleh, Nurul Syazhera Mohd Asmi and Nur Aina Yasmine Halim found their form to pip India by four points - 230-226 - to the gold medal in the final yesterday.
Earlier, the Malaysian team could only finish second (2041) to India (2046) during the qualification rounds.
The Malaysians then struck form when they defeated Kazakhstan 224-218 in the semi-finals and they carried it into the final against India.
There was double joy for Malaysia when Fatin performed beyond expectations to bag the silver medal in the individual event.
In the semi-final, the 27-year-old tied with Singapore’s Contessa Loh at 144-144 but won the one arrow shoot-off for a place in the final. Fatin, however, was no match for India’s M. Kirar losing 142-147.
“It’s definitely a great way to start the year for me and my teammates. Last year was not good for us. The
last time the team won the gold medal was at the Kuala Lumpur 2017 Sea Game,” said Fatin.
“I’m proud of my teammates, especially Yasmine who just joined the team this year while Syahzera had an almost perfect score in the final to help us win.”
“Overall the team spirit was good. I told them to be calm as it was the first time the three of us were shooting together in the same team. So we just went out there and enjoyed ourselves.”
And with the Manila Sea Games in December, Fatin believes that the Asia Cup provided the Southeast Asian teams to gauge each other’s ability.
“This is a good boost for us as we prepare for the Sea Games later in Manila and a chance to have a look at the other teams.”
“Actually it wasn’t my best performance in the individual final but from the first arrow of the tournament till my last I just kept on searching for my best form.”
“I’m also very happy as I had kept mentally strong to win two shootoffs in the second round and the semi-final to get to the final. I’m still proud to have won a silver.”