Norazam, Makzuki lead Malaysia to four compound golds at Asia Cup tournament

Aisyah Norazam and Juwaidi Mazuki won the individual compound titles at the third leg of the 2019 Asia Cup as Malaysia totalled 10 podiums – and collected four golds – in the Philippines.

The competition was also the test event for the upcoming Southeast Asian Games.

“It was a bit windy but I got through because I focused on my shooting form,” said Norazam. “I’m more confident after this event that I can maintain my performance and get a good result at the SEA Games.”

She defeated Philippines Andrea Robles, 140-134, in the compound women’s final. It is the 21-year-old’s first individual medal at the continental level.

Mazuki shot 145 in the compound men’s gold medal match to beat another Filipino archer in Paul Marton de la Cruz and his 141.

“I felt pretty good since the first day I was here. I felt even better this morning and I knew I was going to make some good shots,” he said.

Juwaidi has now won two consecutive events on the Asia Cup circuit. He beat teammate Mohanaraja Khambeswaran to victory at the second leg in Taipei on his way to collecting three gold medals.

In the Philippines, the 29-year-old archery shop owner also took gold – paired with Fatin Nurfatehah Mat Salleh – in the mixed team competition.

Mat Salleh, Norazam and Nurul Syazhera Asmi won the compound women’s team event.

Australia won compound men’s team gold.

Malaysia finished second in the medal table behind China, which won four gold medals during recurve finals. Bangladesh was third thanks to Ruman Shana’s recurve men’s gold.

Three major events remain on the Asian calendar.

The continental para championships in October will award quota places to the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games and November’s Asian Archery Championships will distribute spots to the Olympics​.

Archers from Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam are among those that will return to Clark City in December for the Philippines 2019 Southeast Asian Games.

The third leg of the 2019 Asia Cup took place on 8-15 September in Clark City, Philippines.

People
Competitions