
Shooters not in Munich to make up the numbers, says coach
Seasoned campaigners such as Olympian Johnathan Wong, Alia Sazana Azahari and Hasli Izwan Amir Hasan have been selected for the squad, which also features up-and-coming shooters Wan Muhammad Syafiq Wan Mustaza, Cheah Zen Hong and Nurul Syasya Nadiah Mohd Ariffin.
Firdaus is expecting his shooters to raise their game in Munich.
He expressed concerns about Syasya's recent performances.
"I want promising shooters like Syafiq, Zen Hong and Syasya to treat this World Cup not as mere exposure but as vital preparation for the Sea Games," said Firdaus when contacted today (June 9).
"I want them to show a good level in the competition and not just make up the numbers.
"Syasya has been performing below expectations lately and her progress has been slow.
"But we are working closely with her to identify the issues and implement the necessary corrections to help her improve."
The National Shooting Association of Malaysia has set a top-15 finish as the target for the national contingent in Munich.
Syafiq, Johnathan, and Zen Hong are set to compete in the men's 10m air pistol qualifying round tomorrow (June 10).
At the 2021 Hanoi SEA Games, Malaysia bagged two gold medals in shooting through Johnathan and Syasya in the men's and women's 10m air pistol events.
The sport was excluded from the 2023 Phnom Penh Sea Games but will make its comeback at the Bangkok Games in December.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


New Straits Times
2 hours ago
- New Straits Times
5 countries to compete in Pre-Sea Games Kabaddi tournament
KUALA LUMPUR: The Kabaddi Association of Malaysia (KAM) will host the Pre-Sea Games Kabaddi Tournament at Universiti Sains Malaysia in Penang from Sept 3-6. The tournament will feature five Southeast Asian countries — Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia and Timor Leste. The competition will showcase three exciting Kabaddi disciplines, offering six gold medals in total: Normal Kabaddi, Super 5 Kabaddi, and 3-Star Kabaddi. This tournament serves as a key platform for regional teams to fine-tune their preparations for the 2025 Thailand Sea Games and to strengthen cooperation and competitive spirit among Southeast Asian nations. KAM, in a statement, expressed its gratitude to all participating countries, officials, and supporters for making the event possible. "We look forward to a high level of sportsmanship, unity, and cultural exchange through this prestigious event," read the statement. "We are pleased to confirm that the tournament is officially sanctioned by the South East Asia Kabaddi Federation (SEAKF), Asian Kabaddi Federation (AKF), and International Kabaddi Federation (IKF)." Kabaddi, in its seven-a-side form, has been a medal sport at the Asian Games since 1990. It will be included for the first time in the biennial Sea Games, with six gold medals up for grabs at the Sea Games from Dec 9-20.


The Star
5 hours ago
- The Star
Shock exit as Syafiq, Nurqayyum slip behind SEA Games rivals at worlds
Nurqayyum Nazmi Mohamad Nazim of Malaysia competes at the World Championships in Singapore. - AP PETALING JAYA: It was always going to be an uphill task for the Malaysian divers to get past the preliminary stage of the men's 3m springboard individual event at the World Championships. But what came as a surprise was the failure of divers Mohd Syafiq Puteh and Nurqayyum Nazmi Mohd Nazim to outperform even their SEA Games rivals from Singapore and Thailand during the preliminaries at OCBC Aquatic Centre in Singapore yesterday. Reigning SEA Games springbard champion Syafiq and Nurqayyum were placed 53rd and 54th respectively in the field of 65 participants. Seasoned campaigner Syafiq faltered in his final two dives, scoring only 36.75 and 40.25 points. His total of 310.55 was well short of the mark needed to break into the top 20 and advance. It was also a forgettable debut for World Junior Championship bronze medallist Nurqayyum who struggled to keep pace with the level of competition throughout. The 19-year-old, who was competing on a lower difficulty standard compared to Syafiq, finished with 303.55 points. Only the top 18 divers advance to the semi-finals. Technical director Yeoh Ken Nee did not expect the outcome. "The boys under-performed. They did not qualify if based on the Minimum Qualifying Score of 370," said Ken Nee. He said the long waiting time before each dive may have also affected the composure of the divers. "The waiting time was also longer than usual for this competition. "Nurqayyum is competing for the first time in the world championships but Syafiq has featured a few times but this time, he did badly. "We will sit down with the coaches and divers to understand more about the situation." Singaporean youngster Avvir Tham, only 20, finished a commendable 22nd with a total of 363.90 points. His teammate Max Lee, only 18, also showed hope for the future after placing 44th with a total of 32625 points. Even Thai Chawanwat Juntaphadawon finished way above with 29th position, amassing 357.00 points. It is certainly a confidence boost to Chawanwat as he gears up for the SEA Games in December at his own backyard. South Korea, who are Malaysia's rival at the Asian level, also managed to get both divers into the semi-finals stage under the charge of former national diver Bryan Nickson Lomas. Yi Jaegyeong and Shin Jung-whi finished 14th (384.10) and 17th (379.20) respectively.


New Straits Times
5 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Malaysian diving losing its footing in Southeast Asia
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian diving used to be world class, but the national team are now even struggling at Southeast level. At the ongoing World Championships in Singapore, Malaysia learnt the bitter truth — they have been overtaken by Singapore and Thailand. Yesterday, the national divers dished out another poor show as Nurqayyum Nazim Nazmi and veteran Syafiq Puteh failed to qualify for the men's 3m springboard semi-final. Sea Games springboard champion Syafiq and Nurqayyum finished 53rd (310.55 points) and 54th (303.55 points) respectively out of 65 participants in the preliminary competition at the OCBC Aquatic Centre. Worryingly, the Malaysians were upstaged by divers from Singapore and Thailand, yet another sign that our national team are no longer of quality. Thai diver Chawanwat Juntaphadawon finished 29th at the world meet with 357.00 points, making him a strong contender for the SEA Games gold in Thailand in December. Singaporean Avvir Tham came in a respectable 22nd with 363.90 points while compatriot, Max Lee, showed potential, placing 44th with 32625. A day earlier, Malaysia's Sea Games champion Lee Yiat Qing failed to qualify for the women's 10m platform semi-finals, and was outshone by Singapore's Ainslee Kwang. Malaysian diving technical director Yeoh Ken Nee admitted that he was shocked by the re sults. "The boys did not perform well for this competition. The waiting time was also longer than usual for this competition (could have affected them). "Nurqayyum (bronze medallist in the event at last year's World Junior Championships) was competing for the first time in the World Championships, but Syafiq had gone a few times and I think he did badly this time." Ken Nee said he will have to talk with the coaches and divers to find out what went wrong in Singapore.