Ben-t on making another impression

Benjamin Khor is hoping for another good showing in the fourth leg of the World Cup, which is held in Beijing.

KUALA LUMPUR: Benjamin Khor, the most improved trap shooter in the national team, is determined to make his second Commonwealth Games a memorable occasion. 

And to prove that he is heading in the right direction, the 21-year-old Benjamin is all pumped up for a good showing in the fourth leg of the World Cup, which begins in Beijing on Thursday. 

The Beijing leg is the last tournament for the national shooters before the Games in Glasgow from July 23-Aug 4.
 
Benjamin, the son of former national champion Edward, has been on a roll this year. He broke the national record twice – at the Iskandar Trophy Championships in Johor Baru in April and the Munich leg of the World Cup last month.

Benjamin, who holds the national record of 136 birds, said he would be delighted if he could make it another family affair in Glasgow. 

“I was only 17 when I won a bronze with my father in the double trap team event at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi. I am more mature now and loaded with more experience,” said Benjamin. 

“The Games organisers have scrapped the team event, but my father and I will be taking part in the individual trap. It will be great if we can make it a 1-2 finish. We will have to be wary of the big three – India, England and Australia. 

“So far, things are looking good for me since I received my new Perazzi guns this year. I broke the national record by four (birds) at the World Cup in Munich and that was a big boost to my morale. I hope to produce another good display in Beijing to keep the momentum going.

“Most of the shooters from the Commonwealth will also be in action at Beijing. Hopefully, our shooters will get a timely boost ahead of the Games,” he added. 

Meanwhile, the National Shooting Association of Malaysia (NSAM) have named 24 shooters for the Games and hopes are high on the squad to better their previous medal haul of 2-2-3.

Commonwealth Games Squad
Men
Rifle:	Mohd Hadafi Jaafar, Muhammad Zubair Muhammad, Muhammad Ezuan Nasir Khan, Mohd Hassanul Azdhar Mohd Badrin, Rozli B. Mohamad, Shahrizal Ishak
Pistol:	Johnathan Wong, Choo Wen Yan, Eddy Chew, Hasli Izwan Amir Hassan, Khalel Abdullah
Trap and Skeet:	Charles Chen Seong Fook, Bernard Yeoh Cheng Han, Edward Khor, Benjamin Khor, Joseph Lee Joon Kit, Ricky Teh Chee Fei
Women
Rifle:	Nur Suryani Mohd Taibi, Nur Ayuni Farhana Abdul Halim, Muslifah Zulkiffli
Pistol:	Joseline Cheah, Wahidah Ismail, Bibiana Ng, Alia Sazana Azahari