ASIAN PETANQUE C'SHIPS: MALAYSIA NOT SO PRECISE BUT STILL BAG TWO SILVERS, ONE BRONZE

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 7 (Bernama) -- The national petanque squad got their campaign in the 6th Asian Petanque Championships off to a promising start by clinching two silvers and one bronze at the conclusion of the precision shooting events at the Arena Petanque Kuala Lumpur here today.

Nur Iman Aina Ahmad Sabti and Muhd Harith Muhaimin Hafaizul delivered silver medals in the women’s and junior categories, while veteran Muhd Nuzul Azwan Ahmad Temizi added a bronze in the men’s division.

In the women’s category, Aina defeated Vietnam’s Thach Thi Anh Lan 30-18 in the semi-finals before going down 27-22 to Indonesia’s Anni Saputri in the final.

It was an emotional moment for Aina, competing in the shooting discipline for the first time after years of excelling in triples.

“This was my first time qualifying for a shooting event final, so it was quite challenging holding back the tears. My opponent was very strong and she even beat the Thai player (world champion) earlier, but I gave everything I could.

“I’ve only competed in triples before, so being trusted to take part in precision shooting was a big responsibility. I didn't expect to reach the final. This silver means a lot to me, and with the SEA Games looming, I’ll definitely fight harder for gold there (2025 SEA Games in Thailand from Dec 9-20),” she said in a statement today.

In the junior category, 15-year-old Harith, a student of SMK Muadzam Shah, Pahang, edged Japan’s Koiwa Toshihiro 20-16 in the semi-finals before narrowly losing 29-26 to Cambodia’s Nun Ravin in the final.

“My form today dropped a bit compared to yesterday. But I really wanted that gold medal and gave it my best shot. Still, this is my best result so far on the international stage, and it gives me great motivation to go even further,” he said

In the men’s category, Nuzul Azwan, 37, produced a determined performance before bowing out 27-19 to Taiwan's Wu Kun-yu, who later fell 44-30 to Thailand’s Khamdee Ratchata in the final.

A top-eight finisher at last year's World Championships in Dijon, France, Nuzul Azwan said the semi-finals served as a valuable tune-up ahead of his eighth SEA Games appearance next month.

“From training earlier, I felt my focus slipping, and it carried into the match. Technically, everything’s fine, but mentally I need to be stronger in crucial moments,” he said.

The four-day championships, which began yesterday, feature 141 participants from 15 countries as they compete in two events - precision shooting and triples - across men’s, women’s and junior categories.

-- BERNAMA