PETALING JAYA: Eddy Chew got his season off to a fiery start by emerging champion in the boys’ 50m pistol event in the H.H. The Amir of Kuwait International Shooting Grand Prix in Kuwait City.
The 19-year-old Eddy, a surprise gold medallist in the same event at the 2013 Myanmar SEA Games, nicked the gold just ahead of Latvia’s Lauris Strautmanis. The Malaysian collected 538 points, one more than Strautmanis. Malaysia also clinched the bronze through Abdul Hadi Abdul Malek, who shot 531 points.
Jasmi Mohd Zin finished fourth with a 530 total. The trio’s performances augur well for Malaysia in their bid to win the 50m pistol team event at the Singapore SEA Games in June.
Eddy said he could not have asked for a better start to the season.
“This is an important year and it is great to start well. I hope to defend my SEA Games title. There is also the Asian Championships in Kuwait in November. It is an Olympic qualifier and I want to get a spot. I have a chance if I can maintain my scores,” said Eddy, who was a gold medallist in the boys’ 10m air pistol at the 38th South-East Asia Shooting Association (SEASA) Championships in Singapore last month.
It was also a day to cherish for Mohd Lufti Othman as he delivered a second gold for Malaysia in the boys’ 50m rifle prone.
Lufti came out tops with 613.9 points, way ahead of Qatari Mohd Saad Almubarak’s 606.3 total.
Kazakhstan’s Kuzmich Kirill took the bronze with 605.1 points while Malaysia’s Zul Haziq Rosli amassed 603.7 points for fourth place.
Malaysia also grabbed two bronzes through Siau Cuili (364 points) in the girls’ 10m air pistol and Juani Zamil (562 points) in the girls’ 50m rifle three-position.
The Malaysian senior shooters are also taking part in the five-day championships, which started on Monday. They have fired blanks so far.
Bibiana Ng, the 2010 Commonwealth Games champion, was placed fourth in the women’s 10m air pistol. Olympian Nur Suryani Mohd Taibi also ended fourth – in the women’s 50m rifle three-position.
A total of 25 countries are competing in the championships.
by Lim Teik Huat - The Star
Comments
Post a Comment