Right on the mark
Archers forget opening day blues by clinching team golds
THAT’S more like it!
The national compound archers bounced back from their disappointment in the individual events by retaining both the men and women’s team crowns at the National Archery Range in KL Sports City.
Fatin Nurfatehah Mat Salleh, Saritha Cham Nong and Nurul Syazhera Mohd Asmi held their nerves to narrowly pip first-time finalists Vietnam to the first gold on offer yesterday – winning 28-27 i n the three-arrow shoot-off after the matchh ended 225-225.
Saritha, the third archer, was the hero of the team after hitting the crucial bullseye eye that won it for Malaysia.
Fatin and debutant Nurul chipped in a 9 each while Vietnam’s Chau Kieu Oanh, Le Ngoc Huyen and Thi Nat Le Nguyen all shot a 9. Saritha shed tears of joy as soon as Malaysia were declared the winners.
The 28-year-old knew she had redeemed herselfself afafter nearly costing the team with her final arrow in regulation play.
SShe needed a 9 or higher but managed juust an 8.
“I really want to thank Fatin and Nurul for supporting and encouraging me all the way. I didn’t do so well ttoday and almost let the team down,” saaid Saritha.
“WWe wouldn’t have needed a shoot-off if I had done better than the 8 with my last shot.
“But I’m glad it’s over and we won.”
For Vietnam, the women’s team silver is their first-ever medal since compound archery was introduced at the Manila Games in 2005.
There was double joy for Malaysia when Mohd Juwaidi Mazuki, Zulfadhli Ruslan and Lee Kin Lip clinched the men’s team gold.
The two-time Asia Cup runners-up proved too strong for Singapore’s Ang Han Teng, Alan Lee Chung Hee and Pang Toh Jin, winning 228-222.
“Having failed to win the individual event on the opening day, we knew failure was not an option,” said skipper Juwaidi.
“The team event is our favourite and we were confident because we have a good squad.”
The compound archers are on course to meet their three-gold target, with the mixed team event being held tomorrow.
Juwaidi and Fatin will combine to defend the title they won in Singapore two years ago.