SURPRISE GOLD FROM NURUL

Newcomer shoots her way to 10m air pistol title

NURUL Syasya Nadiah Arifin experienced an emotional victory in the women’s 10m air pistol event at the Hanoi Sea Games yesterday.

The debutante claimed an unexpected gold for Malaysia after firing 239.3 points in the elimination final at the Hanoi National Training Centre.

Thailand’s Tanyaporn Prucksakorn secured the silver on 238.7, while Vietnam’s Trinh Thu Vinh (214.1) completed the podium.

Syasya’s victory put the Malaysian contingent within one gold of reaching their target in Hanoi.

The 19-year-old, who was teary-eyed after her victory, dedicated the gold to her coach Firdaus Rahim.

“I am incredibly grateful to win a gold for Malaysia on my first appearance at the Sea Games,” said Syasya, who struggled to describe her emotions following her win.

“I started off slowly during the qualification round, and it took time for me to collect points, but I managed to come back.

“I have to thank my coach, who helped me from the start of the competition. I dedicate this gold to him

“It was with his help that I am able to reach the final and now stand here with the medal in my hand.”

Syasya had earlier secured her place in the final after garnering 569 points to finish third from 21 shooters in the qualifiers.

Bibiana Ng (560) and Mumtazah Syahiidah Shamsuri (556) did not qualify for the final.

Meanwhile, the women’s 50m rifle three-position decider saw Alia Husna Budruddin just missing out on a podium position after coming in fourth with 425.8 points in the final.

The highly experienced Nur

Suryani Taibi settled for fifth place on 414.7.

Vietnam’s Phi Thanh Tao took the gold on 451.1, while Thailand’s Ratchadporn Plengsaengthong (444.0) claimed silver. Singapore’s Martina Lindsay P. Veloso (435.0) completed the podium.