From left: Zulfadli, Kin Lip and Juwaidi will be facing Indonesia for the compound team gold medal. - FAIHAN GHANI / The Star
SINGAPORE: SEA Games debutant compound archer Zulfadli Ruslan will be carrying a heavy load on his shoulders.
The 23-year-old Penangite, who only joined the national team early this year, will be involved in two of the five finals involving Malaysians at the Kallang Cricket Ground.
Zulfadli will first vie for the individual gold against defending champion Nguyen Tien Cuong of Vietnam before joining seniors Mohd Juwaidi Mazuki and Lee Kin Lip to take on Indonesia for the team title.
“Having unexpectedly come this far, I have nothing to lose,” said Zulfadli, who owns an archery shop in Malacca.
“I’m stunned, yet very proud of myself. Now, it's up to me to make it better.”
With Fatin Nurfatehah Mat Salleh, Nor Rizah Ishak and Saritha Cham Nong also in the form of their life, the compound archers are almost certain to end their 10-year gold drought.
The compound archers returned with an identical haul of two silvers and one bronze from Palembang in 2011 and Myanmar in 2013.
The men’s team of Lang Hon Keong, Ting Leong Fong, Soo Teck Tim and Ng Poh Khoon bagged a gold when compound was introduced at the 2005 Manila Games. Hon Keong also won the individual gold that year.
The Star Online
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