Veteran Juwaidi sees a silver lining

National archers Mohd Juwaidi Mazuki (left), Alang Ariff Aqil Muhammad Ghazalli 2nd right) and Muhammad Aiman Syafiq Mohd Tariki right) winning the gold medal on Men, s compond team final on the 33rd SEA Games Thailand 2025 at the Thailand Sports Authority Hockey Field in Bangkok, Thailand.— MUHAMAD SHAHRIL ROSLI/The Star

BANGKOK: National compound archer Juwaidi Mazuki walked off the arena without any regret, only quiet acceptance and respect for his young opponent.

His bid for a ninth SEA Games gold medal ended with a narrow 145-147 defeat to Thailand’s Peerapat Pattanapongkiat in the men’s individual compound final at the Thailand Sports Authority Archery Range yesterday.

The 35-year-old Malaysian, however, was not disappointed.

“I didn’t shoot badly. I did it at my own level. The score was there despite the windy conditions.”

Under challenging weather, with swirling winds, Peerapat rose to the occasion, producing a remarkable 147, a score Juwaidi described as “crazy” given the conditions.

“147 with that wind is a crazy score.

“Mine was above average. I only lost by two points,” said Juwaidi, who was more impressed because his young opponent was competing in just his second international tournament after the Asian Championships.

“He’s young, fresh and motivated. You can see the will to shoot well. The way he shot, he can maintain this for a few years.”

Yet the veteran Juwaidi also offered some advice for Peerapat based on his own experience.

“Archery is not easy. He still needs more experience.”

Despite missing out on individual gold, Juwaidi concluded the Games with one gold and one silver, having earlier anchored Malaysia to the men’s team compound title.

They beat Thailand 232-228.

“Whatever the result, I am satisfied. Gold and silver, enough,” said Juwaidi who is likely to be around for one last shot at the next SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur.

“I plan to finish my SEA Games career in Kuala Lumpur. But it depends on the team. If I’m needed to carry or help the team, I will.”

Juwaidi is also looking beyond South-East Asia.

“My bigger goal is the Olympics,” he said.

However, he knows qualification for Los Angeles 2028 will be tough.

“They will only take 12 nations. We have to fight.”

In the women’s individual compound bronze medal playoff, Malaysia’s Ng Sui Kim defeated the Philippines’ Amaya Cojuangco 139–134 to add to the national medal haul.

RESULTS

Compound

Men’s individual: Peerapat Pattanapongkiat (Tha) bt Juwaidi Mazuki 147-145.

Men’s team: Malaysia (Juwaidi, Md Syafiq Md Arifin, Aiman Syafiq Tariki and Alang Ariff Aqil Mohd Ghazali) bt Thailand (Sirapop Chainak, Sippakorn Kohkaew, Peerapat Pattanapongkiat and Ratandanai Wongtana) 232-228.

Women’s individual bronze medal playoff: Ng Sui Kim by Amaya Cojuangco (Phi) 139-134.