PARA ARCHERY: ONE-ARMED NURSUFIAH RELEASES ARROWS WITH HER MOUTH

By Vikneswaran Raman

KUCHING, Sept 23 (Bernama) -- Kuala Lumpur archer Nursufiah Mohd Nizam may have finished 11th in the women's compound event at the 2024 Malaysia Para Games (Para SUKMA) here, but it's her sheer determination and unique technique that stunned everyone present at the venue.

The 27-year-old displayed grit and extraordinary tenacity by using her teeth, instead of her hands, to release the arrows at the Petra Jaya Archery Range here today.

Nursufiah, who lost the ability to use her right hand when she had a brain tumour seven years ago, will put the arrow in the bow using her left hand.

She will then lift the bow and pull the bowstrings using her teeth. Once she has the target in sight, she will release the arrow.

So, what got her interested in archery? The movie 'The Hunger Games’ and former American para-archery world champion Eric Bennet, who uses a mouth tab to pull the bowstring to allow his left arm to hold the bow. 

"It's very challenging to release the arrow using your mouth, not to mention aiming at the target. That's because my aim will run when I release the arrows from my teeth. This is the first time I'm competing at the Para SUKMA.

"It's only been a year since I took up this sport. I hope to continue to improve,” said Nursufiah, who also attends a sewing class at the Bangi Industrial and Rehabilitation Centre (PLPP).

She ended the women's compound event in 11th position with 191 points.

Perak's Nurul Farha Abdul Hamid (616 points) took gold, just one point ahead of Sabah's Lidwina Isidore Andilah (615 points). Penang's Amira Firdiana Abd Wahab (548 points) settled for bronze.

In the men's category, Kuala Lumpur's Muhammad Aizat Zaini bagged gold with 660 points while Perak duo K. Kumar (657 points) and Megat Nur Izzat Faiz Megat Noor Azre (640 points) settled for silver and bronze respectively.

"I took up archery in 2019 after I was involved in a road accident in 2017. I was riding a motorcycle when I was hit by a lorry. Then, as I was trying to get up, I was hit by a car. My leg had to be amputated above the knee, I also suffered broken ribs, a cracked spine and multiple fractures on my hands,” said Muhammad Aizat.

-- BERNAMA