But together, both Cheng Chu Sian and Arif Farhan Ibrahim Putra have vowed to pull off a really tough job to win a medal in the Guangzhou Asian Games.
And based on past results and current form, Malaysia have a realistic shot at getting on the rostrum in the men’s team event.
At the previous Games in Doha in 2006, the team finished fourth and it was the best-ever result for Malaysia in Asiad archery.
Just recently in New Delhi, the team did the country proud by winning the first silver medal in Commonwealth Games archery.
The other members of the men’s team for the Asiad are Mohd Izzuddin Abdul Rahim and Wan Khalmizam Wan Abdul Aziz.
Bulls-eye: (From left) Arif Farhan Ibrahim Putra, Wan Mohd Khalmizam Wan Abdul Aziz, Muhammad Izzuddin Abdul Rahim and Cheng Chu Sian want to improve on the fourth placing at the last Asiad in Doha. “The best archers in the world will be at the Asian Games. The field will be tougher (than in the Commonwealth Games). But we can still aim higher – that is to do better the fourth place achieved at the last Asiad,” said the cool and collected Chu Sian.
He believes that besides hard work in training, a good feeling factor during the tournament was equally important.
“At the recent Commonwealth Games, we were in four semi-finals but won only one silver medal. It was our best achievement but yet, I knew in my heart that it could have been better,” said Chu Sian, who was placed eighth in the individual event of the 2006 Asiad in Doha.
“A lot of factors matter in the success of a team – especially on the archers’ temperament on the day. Hopefully, we will learn to enjoy the game and give our best.”
Arif said that he had grown more confident after playing his role to help Malaysia win a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games.
“To win a silver medal in my first Games is great. More importantly, I was able to play my role and complement well with the others in the team,” he said.
“This is a good start and I hope for better things to come. I am more stable now. I must thank my team-mates for their advises and support.
“The bar will be raised at the Asiad.
“Hopefully, I will be able to stay focused and support the team with stronger performances.”
National coach Lee Jae-hyung said that the Asiad competition was a different ball game.
“The standard is even greater than in the world championships. All the best from South Korea, India, Taiwan will be there. Japan and China have also shown marked improvement, like Malaysia in recent times,” he said.
“It will not be easy but I will be happy if our men can finish among the top four again.
“The qualifying rules have changed again after the Commonwealth Games. It is back to the four distances qualifying process instead of the double 70m distance. The archers are getting used to this format again.”
On the women’s team, Jae-hyung said that they were in the midst of discussion on their participation in the Games.
“We have two new faces in the team and we do not think that they are ready to face the stern tests at the Asian Games. They struggled at the Delhi Commonwealth Games,” he said.
“We are contemplating against sending them to Guangzhou.
“It will be better if we put more focus on improving their skills and confidence, especially when next year is the Olympic qualifying year. We will make a decision soon.”
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