Low target for Eddy
TROUBLE: One gold will do as he isn’t comfortable with new grip
DEPRIVED of his favourite grip, pistol specialist Eddy Chew is targeting only one gold medal from his final Malaysia Games.
The Johor shooter, who will be overaged for the next edition, said he is only focusing on defending his gold in the 10m air pistol event as he is forced to use a new grip for the 50m free pistol in Sarawak.
“The custom grip that I have used for my 50m pistol cracked recently and it is currently in Switzerland where the manufacturers are in the
process of replicating it,” said the 21year-old.
“It is not easy to adjust to a new grip as I have very small hands and the one I had before was just perfect for me.
“I have also not been focusing on the 50m event for some time now as it was not part of the Asean University Games (AUG). To be honest, I am not setting myself any targets in that event.
“But I am hoping to win another gold in the 10m air pistol. It would be a great way to end my Malaysia Games career.”
Eddy, who won one gold and one silver at the recent AUG in Singapore, is the outright favourite in both events but stressed that he does not take the threat posed by his less experienced peers in Sarawak lightly.
He won one gold at the 2008 Malacca Games, one silver at Pahang 2012 and two gold at Perlis 2014.
“Although I have been to a lot of major competitions, I never take things for granted.
“The shooters at the Malaysia Games may be less experienced but on their day, they can hit the mark consistently and upset the more favoured shooters.
“It can be a really unpredictable tournament, you really have to be mentally prepared to face a variety of situations.”
Eddy grabbed headlines at the 2013 Myanmar Sea Games when he unexpectedly won the 50m pistol gold as an 18-year-old.
The shooting event kicks off with the men’s 50m free pistol and the women’s 10m air pistol at the Sarawak Shooting Range in Kuching on Monday.