National archers bag gold and silver in Palembang

PALEMBANG: Malaysia’s archers secured the gold and silver in the women’s individual compound event in the Third Islamic Solidarity Games at the Jakabaring archery range yesterday.

Nor Rizah Ishak captured the gold after shooting 139 points in the final while compatriot Sarita Cham Nong, who shot 137 points, settled for the silver. Iran’s Mino Abedi took the bronze with 133 points.

Nor Rizah, 44, said she was delighted to deliver the gold and hoped the success would serve her in good stead at the Myanmar SEA Games in December.

“The competition here is rather tough even though archery giants South Korea are not part of the Games. The Iranians and Indonesians gave us a run for our money,” said Nor Rizah, who hails from Perak.

Meanwhile, national weightlifter Nur Khasida Abdul Halim expressed her regrets for failing to deliver a gold medal in the women’s Under 75kg category yesterday.

It was due to a bout of diarrhoea she suffered in the morning before the event began at Wisma Seberguna Jakabaring. Nur Khasidah had to contend with the silver after clearing 182kg, eight kilogrammes behind gold medallist Thuraia Sobh of Syria who lifted 190kg.

Bronze also went to another Malaysian weightlifter, Siti AisyahMd Rosli, who also managed to heave 182kg (she was awarded the bronze on countback).

Meanwhile, Malaysia won another bronze, also through Nur Jannah who lifted 218kg in in the women 75kg and above category. — Bernama