Khairul's hopes for medal are gone with the wind

Malaysian acher Khairul Anuar Mohamad reacting after losing in the Men's Individual 1/16 Elimination at Sambodromo Marcana venue in Rio De Janeiro. AZHAR MAHFOF/The Star (10/8/2016)

RIO DE JANEIRO: Archer Khairul Anuar Mohamad’s hopes of an Olympic medal were blown away on a cold and windy morning in Rio de Janeiro.

The world No. 41 led 4-0 against German Florian Floto and seemed headed for a place in the round of 16.

But Floto fought back, including three perfect 10s in the fifth set, to win 6-4 (26-27, 23-27, 29-27, 28-25, 30-29) at Sambodromo.

Earlier in the round of 64, Khairul scored an easy 6-0 win over Colombian Andres Pila.

Khairul said he lost because he was slow to adjust to the direction of the wind in the last three sets.

“The wind changed direction compared to the earlier sets,” said Khairul.

Coach Lee Jae-hyung said it was just not Khairul’s day.

“Normally Khairul’s scores would have won him the match. But today it wasn’t enough,” lamented the South Korean.

It was a sad ending for Khairul as Malaysia also failed to make an impact in the team event, losing 6-2 to France in the elimination round.