PETALING JAYA: A shootout alongside a homester who is also the daughter of a former national shooter can be nerve-racking.
And Sarawak's Leticia Chai was not expecting a straightforward contest as she had Selangor's Halina Izreen – whose father is ex-national marksman Hasli Izwan Amir Hasan – to contend with for gold.
But Leticia, fired up by the disappointment of missing out on the final in her Sukma debut at home two years ago, would not let the nerves get to her this time.
She was a picture of calm as she met her aim of gunning down the women’s 10m air pistol gold to end Sarawak's eight-year gold drought.
Leticia finished with 231.3 points, ahead of Halina who settled for silver with 227.2. Pahang’s Damia Hani Sakran took bronze with 207.8.
She attributed the success to her unwavering focus despite the big occasion.
"I focused more on myself and the basics of my technique without worrying about what was happening around me,'' said Leticia.
"My strategy was not to look too much at the standings. When my name was called, I just stepped up to shoot.
''I only focused on how I could make the next shot better.
"There is always pressure but when you achieve something you have been aiming for, there is a sense of relief."
Sarawak also added a second gold in the women’s 50m rifle prone team event.
The trio of Melisa Mike Snyut, Affennia Norolyn Howard and Kaira Ramadhani Azman combined for 1815.4 points to finish on top ahead of Perak and Selangor.
