Take A Bow! T’ganu’s SUKMA Mixed Team Archers Strike Recurve, Compound Gold 

By Farah Najihah Zuraimi

KUCHING, Aug 21(Bernama) -- Despite battling less-than-ideal conditions at the Petra Jaya Archery Range and facing unpredictable weather, the Terengganu team remained resolute, adding two more gold medals to their haul at the 2024 Malaysia Games (SUKMA) here today through the mixed team recurve and compound events.

In the mixed team recurve final, the duo of Muhammad Saiful Islam Mohd Rizuwan and Nurul Izzah Mazlan finally broke their finals ‘curse’ after delivering a commanding 6-2 victory over Pahang pair, Muhammad Haiqal Danish Syamsul Affandi and Nur Rafiqa Izzlyn Zaidi.

Speaking to reporters, 20-year-old Muhammad Saiful Islam said he was happy with the pair’s strategy and strong communication, honed since they began competing together in 2018, which paid off brilliantly in this Games. 

“We’ve been in many tournaments together, but to be honest, we rarely make it to the finals despite our high rankings. It feels incredible to finally break that jinx at our last SUKMA,” he told reporters.

Meanwhile, the home pair of Joey Tan Xing Lei and Liew Yu Jie were unable to overcome the challenge from Selangor’s Ahmad Razin Azahar and Nur Ieka Hariesya Zainal Habsahli, who took the bronze with a 6-2 win. 

In the mixed team compound event, Terengganu’s Muhammad Aiman Syafiq Mohd Tariki and Nurul Syaza Husna Mahari clinched the gold with a 151-147 win over Afiq Zufar Mohamad Shah-Hadira Hisham of the Federal Territories (FT)

“This morning, it rained heavily, then it cleared up and became really hot. That’s one of the reasons I felt feverish. I had just recovered from a fever.

“I didn’t give any specific instructions (to Muhammad Aiman Syafiq) as I trust him completely. He was the one who scored most of the 10-pointers today. I should really thank him,” Nurul Syaza Husna, who before this secured gold in the women’s 50-metre compound event, said.

The Pahang duo of Muhammad Ammerul Muqri Mohd Munzir and Safi Qurratu Aini Saifol Anuar captured bronze by overcoming Johor’s Alya Fariesya Ruslam and Muhamad Danish Muhamad Nadzimuddin, 149-145.

With two days remaining in the archery competition at this biennial event, Terengganu continues to lead the medal tally, having captured four out of the 14 gold medals up for grabs so far.

-- BERNAMA