Golden archer Aiman now takes aim at teacher’s job

TERENGGANU archer Mohd Aiman Syafiq Mohd Tariki won’t have much time to savour his Sarawak Malaysia Games (Sukma) gold medal in the boys’ compound team event.

The 18-year-old, who won the event together with teammates Muhammad Amiruddin Zulkifli and Muhammad Hazmi Aisar Azmi against Sabah, has only three days to celebrate before he heads off to the Institut Pendidikan Guru Kampus Raja Melewar on Monday.

He plans to be a teacher, but he won’t lose touch with sports.

“My dream has always been to become a teacher. My mother is a teacher as well. I plan to study physical education,” said Aiman.

“I had never really thought about archery before. It all started when my mother’s friend invited me to give it a try and I soon realised I enjoyed it and was quite good at it.

“I’m glad that me and my teammates could help contribute another gold medal for Terengganu,” he said.

The Terengganu trio defeated Sabah’s Aloysius Gabriel Liew, Muhammad Irfan Sobrun Masahudi, and Nathaniel Tan in the final yesterday, winning 226-221.

The bronze medal went to Federal Territories’ Afiq Zufar Mohamad Shah, Muhamad Rayn Hamka, and Muhammad Faiq Azim Shahrir who beat Melaka’s Aniq Faris Azmin Fadli, Muhammad Zul Adzrin Zainuddin, and S. Praveen 222-219.

Meanwhile, in the girl’s compound team event, Perak’s Fatiha Uzzair, Nur Qurratul Zaqieya Mohd Yusuf, and Puteri Nuryn Jazlina Hairol Supfian narrowly took the gold medal beating Johor’s Alya Fariesya Ruslam, Nur Farah Aziera Shamsuddin, and Nur Syafiruz Norbadru Abida 221-220. Puteri Nuryn said the win was worth all the late nights they spent training and hoped the perception of the sport would change among the public.

“Many people think archery doesn’t require any physical training, but in reality, we run and jog regularly to stay fit.

“We only return home late at night after training, it’s not easy.

“Hopefully one day, we can compete in the Olympics, that would be a dream come true,” she said.

The bronze medal went to Pahang’s Aisha Sofrina Abdul Kadir, Nur Damia Imanina Azian, and Safi Qurratu Aini Saifol Anuar, who beat Penang’s Nur Khuwailah Ridzuan, M. Pritiswary, and Wan Nur Duratul Akmal Wan Irwadi 218-216. Compound Boys TeamFinal: Terengganu bt Sabah 226-221 Bronze medal match: Federal Territories bt Melaka 222-219 IndividualFinal: Adam Danish Darwish Mohd Zaini (Prk) bt S. Praveen (Mel) 140-136 Bronze medal match: Abdul Faathir Aqil Rafizam (Prk) bt Mohd Nur Azimi Mohamad Norwafi (Sel) 141-138 Girl’s TeamFinal: Perak bt Johor 221-220 Bronze medal match: Pahang bt Penang 218-216 Individual Final: Nur Farah Aziera Shamsuddin (Joh) bt M. Pritiswary (Pen) 138-137 Bronze medal match: Safi Qurratu Aini Saifol Anuar (Pah) bt Nur Syafiruz Norbadru Abida (Joh) 139-136.