Johnathan marks his start to 2025 with louder bang than expected

New year smile: Johnathan Wong rewrote his national record in the men’s 10m air pistol in his first international stint this year.

PETALING JAYA: It was suppose to be a ‘’warm-up’’ competition for Olympian Johnathan Wong at the Southeast Asia Shooting Association (SEASA) championships but he was on a hot run.

The 32-year-old rewrote his national record in the men’s 10m air pistol in his first international stint this year when he shot down 586 points to top the qualifying round at the National Shooting Range in Taoyuan, Taiwan, on Friday.

He erased his old mark of 585, which he shot 10 years ago.

He also broke the SEASA record, which was held by Vietnam’s Tran Quoc Quong, who scored 585 in 2015.

Top seed Johnathan, however, went on to finish fifth in the final with 174.5 points. Taiwan’s Chang Lu took the gold with 240 points, while his fellow countryman Chen Hsieh-hsiang bagged the silver with 239.5.

Jonathan’s individual qualifying top score, however, was good enough to help Malaysia win the team gold in the 10m air pistol together with Wan Mustaza Wan Muhammad and Cheah Zen Hong.

They amassed a total of 1,721 points.

Johnathan could have added another medal but he missed out in the mixed team event when he and Dina Batrisyia Adi Azhar lost 14-16 to Thailand’s Kiettikul Sudhket and Kamonlak Saencha.

Johnathan was over the moon after breaking the record and winning the team gold.

“I am thrilled to have broken the national record and established a new SEASA record. This achievement significantly boosts my confidence and inspires me to pursue greater success in international competitions,” said Johnathan.

“This is the first overseas competition after the Paris Olympics (August).

‘‘This competition is very important to mark the beginning of 2025 and to gain better momentum as we prepare towards the SEA Games in Thailand.

“After Taiwan, we will be participating in the Asian Cup in Thailand next month, allowing us to gain some experience competing at the SEA Games venue (SAT Shooting Range, Bangkok).

“I also hope to maintain my consistency throughout the year. That is something I want to work on with my coach.”

National pistol coach Firdaus Abdul Rahim applauded his charge for a splendid start to the year.

“We are actually in the general preparation phase, where we are working on his fitness and mental work. We have yet to focus on the specifics like techniques and tactics. So the record was a bonus, I am happy for Jon,” said Firdaus.

“We have tried to improve his national record last year but it did not happen but there is result now, after we had tweaked his training syllabus upon his return from the Paris Games.”