EDDY BREAKS NATIONAL RECORD
Shooter feels he can finish strongly in the Sea Games
NATIONAL shooter Eddy Chew declared that he is ready for next month’s Kuala Lumpur Sea Games after breaking the national record en route to winning the men's 10-metre air pistol event at the National Championships yesterday.
The Batu Pahatborn fired 242.2 points in the eightman elimination final to clinch the gold at the Subang Shooting Range. He erased the previous mark of 237.4 set by compatriot Choo Wen Yan at the Tun Haniff Trophy in March.
Olympian Jonathan Wong (240.9) and Wen Yan (215.9) came in second and third.
Eddy, who topped the morning qualifying session on 576, said he is feeling sharper following the recent 40-day training stint in South Korea.
"It feels good to break the national record. The achievement is a testament to my consistent form this season,” said the 22-year-old shooter.
“The stint with the Korean national team has helped me a lot. They taught us ways to handle pressure and to maintain consistency.”
Eddy grabbed attention in the 2013 Myanmar Sea Games by winning the 50m free pistol gold medal. However, he returned without a medal from the 2015 edition in Singapore.
"The Singapore outing was disappointing. There was pressure as I was the defending champion...I just did not perform to my ability. I want to make sure that I do not make the same mistake next month.
"The goal in next month’s Sea Games is to finish on the podium in the 50m free pistol and 10m air pistol events. However, it will be tough to win the title as Vietnam have an Olympic gold medallist in Hoang Xuan Vinh in both events,” said Eddy.
Eddy, Jonathan and Wen Yan will compete in the 50m free pistol event today.
The other finals yesterday saw Lutfi Othman clinching the men's 50m rifle three-position gold while Terengganu's Alia Sazana Azahari won the women's 25m pistol title.
It feels good to break the national record. The achievement is a testament to my consistent form this season.
EDDY CHEW