SYAQ IE RA BINTI M ASH AYIKH

WOMEN’S INDIVIDUAL AND MIXED TEAM

Selected by the National Archery Association of Malaysia ( NAAM), Syaqiera Mashayikh represents Malaysia in the women’s individual recurve event and in the mixed team alongside national archery champion Khairul Anuar Mohamad. “I was surprised to be selected for the Tokyo Olympics. Of course, I am overjoyed and consider this opportunity to be a true blessing,” the 21-year-old remarks.

The Tokyo Olympics is Syaqiera’s third international appearance after competing in two tournaments in Paris, France, including Stage 3 of the 2021 Hyundai Archery World Cup and 2021 Archery Final Olympic Qualification Tournament. She recorded 619 points in the qualifiers, cementing her spot in the illustrious sporting event.

Malaysia received a slot to Tokyo when a World Archery review dropped some of the 64 eligible archers that failed to attain the Minimum Qualification Score of 605 for the women’s event. The opportunity is a second chance at redemption for the young Olympian, who initially missed qualifying in the 2020 Olympic Qualifiers in the second stage of the women’s individual recurve event.

Although Syaqiera joined the national team only last year, she has navigated the difficulties of the pandemic with grace, focusing on physical training and positive selftalk. “I stay motivated by reminding myself that skills develop over time and experience. I also remember that many people are supporting me, especially my coaches, teammates and family, hopeful for me to win.”

Syaqiera has the honour of being the third female Malaysian archer to ever reach the Olympic stage after Mon Redee Sut Txi (2004) and Nurul Syafiqah Hashim (2012).