JAE HYUNG ADVISES CAUTION
Coach: Khairul’s 29 rivals can also win medals at Tokyo Olympics
RECURVE archer Khairul Anuar Mohamad has the potential to win a medal at the Tokyo Olympics next year, but so do 29 others in the competition.
That is the view of national archery coaching director Lee Jae Hyung who does not want to get carried away following Khairul’s historic silver medal at the World Championships last week.
Khairul’s performance in the Netherlands, where he became the first ever Malaysian to win a medal at the World Championships, has led to him being widely tipped as a medal prospect in Tokyo.
“When it comes to the top 30 in the world, you cannot really say who will win the gold or finish in the medals, it is very
close,” said Korean Jae Hyung.
“Khairul is definitely among those who have a chance, he is of medal (winning) standard.
“He had not peaked yet at the World Championships and he did well despite not being used to the cold and rainy conditions.
“What is important is how well his preparations for the Olympics are and this is something we will be discussing with the National Sports Council (NSC).”
NSC director general Datuk Ahmad Shapawi Ismail hopes Khairul and Para archery world champion S. Suresh will be able to make substantial improvements in the lead-up to the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics.
“I have had a chance to meet the coach (Jae Hyung) to talk about our preparations but there are still a lot of things we have to look at in depth going forward,” said Shapawi.
“Of course the main focus will be on Khairul and Suresh, we need to see how we can find aggressive improvements in them.
“This could be achieved through attachment or joint training programmes. Perhaps our friends out there (abroad) can help.”
Suresh also created history when he won the world title at the Para Archery World Championships, which was held a week earlier, also in Hertogenbosch.