Sexagenarian shooter Edward pips son Benjamin to silver

Guns blazing: Edward (left) and Benjamin posing for the camera after winning silver and bronze respectively.

PETALING JAYA: Shooter Edward Khor came out of retirement to continue the father-and-son rivalry with Benjamin in the international stage.

Edward, who will turn 62 next month, defeated his son in a shoot-off over 25 targets to win a silver medal for Malaysia in the Fitasc Asia Sporting Shooting Championships at the Photharam Shooting Range in Photharam, Thailand, on Thursday.

Both were tied at 176 at second place and in the shoot-off, Edward won by two points.

Thailand’s Kongphart Tantichirasakul shot down the gold with a score of 180.

Edward also won a second silver medal when he teamed up with 2017 Kuala Lumpur SEA Games champion Benjamin and Norick Lim Soon Siang to finish second behind Thailand in the team event.

The Malaysians amassed a total score of 495 while the Thais stayed solid at the top with 528 points. Vietnam came in third with 467 points

Edward was surprised that he could still stand tall on the podium despite being out of touch for two years.

“I have not shot competitively since January 2020 because of the Covid-19 pandemic and was a bit rusty going into the competition,” he said.

“After 200 targets over two days, I was tied with my son Benjamin. A shoot-out over 25 targets eventually made me the winner.

“At 61 going 62 next month, I’m over the moon with my performances. Some say age is just a number but it’s a lot of hard work and not forgetting all the body aches too.

“It feels good to be of service to the country again.”

Edward and Benjamin, 29, have competed in many international tournaments together but there have been occasions when the father, who is also his coach, has lost too.

Asked whether the fine showing at the meet will spark an interest to return to represent Malaysia at next year’s SEA Games in Cambodia and Asian Games in Hangzhou, Edward said: “I’ll stay retired but my son will continue to compete.”

Edward has good memories with his son, having won bronze in the pairs double trap at the 2010 New Delhi Commonwealth Games.