Hafiz’s medal the silver lining for shooters

HAFIZ Adzha, despite three years without any competition, is still sharp as he managed to shoot down a silver medal on the first day of action at the Hanoi National Training Centre.

In the 25m rapid fire pistol individual event , the 36-year-old was only separated by two points in the final won by Vietnam’s Thanh Ha Minh, who gunned down 27 points.

Thailand’s Ram Khamhaeng got the bronze with 20 points.

“I’m very happy with my performance as it has been a long time since I compete on the international stage.

“The medal is a pleasant surprise as I was focusing more on the team event. But after we missed out on the team event, I had to give my everything for the individual.

“I was kind of nervous in the final but I tried my best to control the situation,” added Hafiz, who was the only Malaysian shooter to make a final appearance.

The event was last held in the 2017 SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur and Hafiz was placed fifth.

His best finish was at the 2007 edition in Korat, Thailand where Hafiz returned with a gold in the team and bronze in the individual.

In the team competition earlier, Hafiz, Hasli Izwan Amir Hasan and Mohd Ridhuan Mohamed settled for fourth with a combined total of 1,691 points.

Vietnam took gold with 1,706 points followed by Thailand (1,698) and Indonesia (1,710).

Hafiz’s silver was the only bright moment for Malaysia after medal prospect Nur Suryani Mohd Taibi failed to even qualify for the top-eight final in the women’s 10m air rifle.

The two-time Olympic shooter finished 14th with 613.4 in the preliminary round.

Sharifah Noor Ellyna Hamid and Nor Farhana Fadzil placed 14th (613.4) and 18th (605.2) respectively.

Indonesia’s Mubarokah Dewi Laila took the gold with 626.00.

The hosts’ Phi Thanh Thao won silver with 625.00 ahead of Thailand’s Sastwej Chanitta, who took bronze with 626.6.