SUKMA: Shooter Cheah Breaks Games Record En Route To Double Gold For Pahang

KUCHING, Aug 18 (Bernama) -- Pahang sharpshooter Cheah Zen Hong broke a Games record en route to clinching double gold in the 10-metre Air Pistol individual and team events at the 2024 Malaysia Games (SUKMA), lighting up the Sarawak Shooting Range today.

The national backup shooter set the record during the qualifying round this morning, scoring 576 points to surpass the previous record of 574 set by his senior, Abdul Hadi Abdul Malik, at SUKMA 2012.

Cheah sealed his golden moment with a score of 230.5, narrowly edging out teammate Riky Mohamad Yasin, who secured silver with 230.2 points, while T. Ninesh from Kedah bagged the bronze with 210.3 points in the final.

“My goal was clear—to defend the gold medal today. My first 10 shots weren’t the best, but I gradually found my rhythm, and I’m thrilled with the outcome,” said Cheah.

“For Pahang, every medal counts, especially gold. We had our targets for the team, and shooting is Pahang’s biggest medal contributor. Despite the pressure, we stayed focused and delivered, and that’s something special," he told reporters here today.

The Pahang trio of Cheah, Riky Mohamad and Muhammad Zainal Azim Ahmad Mahmud dominated the team event, amassing 1,687 points to secure the gold, outpacing the Federal Territories (FT) squad (Safwan Arif Abdul Aziz, Muhammad Hakimi Zulkifli, Abdul Haiqal Abdul Aziz), who finished second with 1,658 points.

Sarawak (Justin Joannes Kelukin, Mohamad Syah Nurwandi Iqwan Abdullah, Abang Ikhmal Putra Zailan), claimed the bronze with a total of 1,657 points.

The 18-year-old hopes his stellar performance will earn him a spot on the international stage.

“Next on my radar is the SEA Games in Bangkok next year, and I’m eager to compete in other elite international tournaments,” said Cheah, who also captured double gold in the men’s 25m standard pistol individual and team events yesterday.

-- BERNAMA