Johnathan Eyes First Asian Games Gold At Aichi-Nagoya 2026

KUALA LUMPUR, April 13 (Bernama) -- National shooting athlete Johnathan Wong views participation in several world-class competitions as a crucial platform to strengthen his preparations in pursuit of a maiden gold medal at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games this September.

The 32-year-old said competing in the World Cup series in Germany this May, as well as in Hangzhou, China in July, will serve as the best stage to assess his current performance level ahead of the quadrennial Games.

According to him, continuous exposure on the international stage is critical, especially given the strong dominance of Asian shooters at the world level.

“Even at the Olympic level, we can see Asian athletes are very dominant. So, the Asian Games are extremely challenging, but I believe the opportunity is still there if I can maintain consistency,” he said when met recently.

Johnathan, who has competed at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games and the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, said his confidence is also based on encouraging past performances, including reaching the final at the Hangzhou 2022 Asian Games as well as qualifying for the final stage of the Asian Championships twice.

At the same time, he did not deny the immense challenge of making history as the first Malaysian shooter to clinch a gold medal at the Asian Games, given that the country’s best achievement to date remains a silver medal won by Muhammad Ezuan Nasir Khan and Nur Suryani Mohamed Taibi (team rifle) at the Incheon 2014 Asian Games.

“The opportunity is there, but it is not easy. I need to work harder and use every competition as the best possible preparation,” he said.

The Melaka-born athlete also stressed that his main focus now is to refine both technical and mental aspects to ensure he is in peak condition heading into the Aichi-Nagoya Games.

-- BERNAMA