KUCHING, Aug 20 (Bernama) -- Marksmen Cheah Zen Hong from Pahang and Negeri Sembilan’s Gan Chen Jie have emerged as the shooting stars of the 2024 Malaysia Games (SUKMA), amassing six gold medals each so far at the Sarawak Shooting Range here.
In today’s action, Cheah continued his winning streak in the 25-metre Air Pistol individual and men's team events, while Gan shot to gold in the 10m Air Rifle individual and women's team events.
Cheah scored 574 points, surpassing two Terengganu shooters, Azrin Sallehin Azahari (553) and Banin Al Ghazali Ahmad Badrul Hisyam (530), breaking the record set by his senior, Khairul Azri Mohd Roslan, of 571 points at SUKMA 2008.
The 18-year-old had clinched gold in the 25m Standard Pistol individual and team events, as well as the 10m Air Pistol individual and team events.
“I am satisfied and grateful for the good performance here. A month before SUKMA, our shooting camp trained every morning and evening, only resting on Sundays.
“I also conduct my own game analysis, writing down what I did during the competition. If there are shortcomings, I make improvements. Besides that, I calm myself by listening to my favourite music, I like pop and R&B genres,” he told reporters here.
Cheah, along with Azrul Akmal Zulkefli and Putera Muhammad Akram Idham Zunaidi secured the gold medal for Pahang in the 25m Air Pistol team event with 1,691 points, defeating the Sarawak (1,639 points), and Terengganu (1,630 points) trios.
Cheah said his next focus is on completing his seventh individual gold in the 10m Air Pistol Mixed event tomorrow.
Meanwhile, Gan also dominated with six gold medals in the 50m 3 Position individual and team events for women, the 50m Prone individual and team events, as well as the 10m Air Rifle individual and team events today.
In the 10m Air Rifle individual event, the Seremban native shot gold with 248.2 points, breaking the record held by Shaveena Mei Vejayan from Penang at SUKMA 2022.
Gan defeated Nur Maisarah Dzulkifli from Penang (245.9 points) and Sarawak’s Kaira Ramadhani Azman (220.4 points), while her partnership with Aina Zahara Baharum and Tan Yee Xuan also earned gold with 1,846.4 points.
This score surpassed the Penang team of Nur Maisarah, Nur Sumayyah Dzulkifli and Siti Zulaika Haira Rosman, who finished second (1,844.1 points), while the bronze went to Chenny Herman, Nurhafizah Didin and Nur Aina Nastasya Anderson representing Sabah (1,819.7 points)
Gan said her focus tomorrow is on the 10m Air Rifle Mixed Team event to complete her collection of seven gold medals.
“This is my best achievement in shooting. I am grateful to everyone who supported me in achieving success here. I will try to bring home the gold medal on the final day tomorrow,” she said.
-- BERNAMA
