PETALING JAYA: Arif Farhan Ibrahim Putra’s first outing with the senior archers in a recurve team event got off to a miserable start in the Asian Championships in Bali last week.
And the 18-year-old hopes to make a quick rebound in his SEA Games debut in Laos.
Good guidance: Coach Lee Jae-hyung (left) giving pointers to Arif Farhan during a training session at the Bukit Jalil archery centre yesterday. — GLENN GUAN / The Star The Asian Championships was the first major international for Arif and he was in the team who were sent packing by Bangladesh in the opening round.
The other members of the team were Cheng Chu Sian, Mohd Zulkifli Tahil and Wan Mohd Khalmizam Wan Mohd Aziz. Arif was picked to feature in the team event in favour of Olympian Khalmizam.
Currently all the four archers are working hard to get their game going for the defence of the SEA Games team title.
“The outing in Bali was a great exposure for me. The first-round defeat was hard to swallow but I will benefit from the experience,” said Arif.
“It was my first outing with the seniors and I was happy to be able to blend in well with the team. We are more determined to get our act right in the SEA Games.”
The selection of Johor-born Arif, who has yet to win a major title, came as a big surprise.
A spot in the team for the SEA Games was left vacant two months ago after Olympian Mohd Marbawi Sulaiman was dropped from the elite squad because of poor form.
“I was really surprised when I was named in the squad. It all happened so fast. I was moved to train under coach Lee (Jae-hyung) last month,” said Arif.
“To me, this is a chance of a life time. It is an opportunity to prove myself and justify the selection.”
Arif was considered a good choice for the challenges in the Laos Games after having played prominent roles in several team events this year.
He won team gold in two local circuit meets in Kuala Lumpur and Malacca. He was also the member of the national back-up squad, who finished fourth in the European Grand Prix Bulgaria in June.
The fourth placing was considered a big achievement for Malaysia as no other team have achieved a better result in the Europe circuit.
“So far, I have been able to handle myself well in tense situations. I hope I will be able to repeat the same if I am fielded in the SEA Games,” said Arif, who took up the sport only four years ago.
“I have learnt a lot since training with the national elite squad and given a little more time, I think I will be able to fulfil my dream to become a top archer in the country.”
For the individual event of the Vientiane Games, all eyes will be on Chu Sian’s defence of the gold medal.
The women’s recurve team of S. Anbarasi, Noor Aziera Taip, Nur Amirah Mohd and Fepriyenita Anuar have a mission to step out of the shadows of the Indonesians and also fend off the challenges of the Singaporeans.
At the Asian Championships, they were beaten by Singapore in the opening round by just one point.
In the compound events, Malaysia will be hoping to break the duck after returning without a medal at the 2007 Games in Korat. STAR
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