National archery coach Lee Jae-hyung (right) congratulates Haziq as Khairul Anuar (centre) and Muhd Ikram Joni looks on. - FAIHAN GHANI / The Star
SINGAPORE: Malaysia were on the brink of surrendering their supremacy in the men's archery recurve individual event.
But Haziq Kamaruddin came to the rescue.
The 22-year-old recovered from 4-0 down to beat Tan Silie of Singapore 6-5 in the semi-final at the Kallang Cricket Ground, ensuring Malaysia are in the final.
The match went into a decider after both archers were tied at 5-5 (27-29, 26-29, 28-27, 26-23, 27-27).
Haziq won by the slimmest of margins when both archers hit 9, only for the Malaysian’s arrow to be deemed nearest to the target.
Haziq’s win made up for Khairul Anuar Mohd’s shocking loss to Silie in the quarter-finals on Thursday.
Haziq will now take on Thailand’s Witthaya Thamwong for the gold medal shootout.
This is the seventh Games in a row since 2003 that Malaysia have made it to the final. Malaysia have won five of the last six finals, failing only at the 2005 Manila Games.
“It's been a while since I made the final of an individual event ... that was when I won the 2011 Asian Grand Prix in Laos,” said Haziq.
Former world No. 3 Khairul was noticeably shaken by his uncharacteristic 7-1 loss to world No. 165 Silie.
But the quarter-finalist at the London Olympics bounced back to help Malaysia qualify for the men’s team and mixed team finals.
But Haziq Kamaruddin came to the rescue.
The 22-year-old recovered from 4-0 down to beat Tan Silie of Singapore 6-5 in the semi-final at the Kallang Cricket Ground, ensuring Malaysia are in the final.
The match went into a decider after both archers were tied at 5-5 (27-29, 26-29, 28-27, 26-23, 27-27).
Haziq won by the slimmest of margins when both archers hit 9, only for the Malaysian’s arrow to be deemed nearest to the target.
Haziq’s win made up for Khairul Anuar Mohd’s shocking loss to Silie in the quarter-finals on Thursday.
Haziq will now take on Thailand’s Witthaya Thamwong for the gold medal shootout.
This is the seventh Games in a row since 2003 that Malaysia have made it to the final. Malaysia have won five of the last six finals, failing only at the 2005 Manila Games.
“It's been a while since I made the final of an individual event ... that was when I won the 2011 Asian Grand Prix in Laos,” said Haziq.
Former world No. 3 Khairul was noticeably shaken by his uncharacteristic 7-1 loss to world No. 165 Silie.
But the quarter-finalist at the London Olympics bounced back to help Malaysia qualify for the men’s team and mixed team finals.
The Star Online
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