PARA SUKMA: PAHANG'S CHI HUI BREAKS TWO NATIONAL PARA ACHERY RECORDS

From VIKNESWARAN RAMAN

KUCHING, Sept 23 (Bernama) -- Pahang’s Para recurve archer Loh Chi Hui surpassed not only her own expectations, but also her coach’s target by breaking two national para archery records in the 2024 Malaysia Para Games (Para SUKMA) to clinch the gold medal here, today.

The 34-year-old wheelchair bound athlete set the new women’s individual national record in the qualification round for 70-metre with an overall score of 574 points, a huge improvement from the 504 mark set by Nor Sa’adah Abdul Wahab at the 2013 World Archery Para Championships in Bangkok. 

She started today’s session at the Petra Jaya Archery Range scoring 298 points in the first set, bettering Jennyla Kueh’s 238 national mark set in the 2019 Asian Archery Para Championships (AAPC) in Bangkok. 

Chi Hui’s 574 together with teammate Ahmad Jaffri Jamaluddin’s 579 points in the men’s recurve for an overall 1,153 points broke the national mixed team record of 1,093 set by Jennyla-S. Suresh at the 2019 AAPC.

Speaking to Bernama after the prize giving ceremony, Chi Hui was delighted with her record breaking feat after getting involved in archery about six-year ago. 

“When I was in Form Three, I was involved in a motorcycle accident while riding back home from school and fractured by back and was paralysed from waist down. I was really sad, depressed and worried about my future.

“However, when I saw that there were others who were suffering from even worst conditions than me, I began to console myself and began to build my confidence and resilience. I am therefore, very happy with the achievement,” she said. 

Kedah’s K. Thilagavathy (464) and Jaynie Jamirin (407) of Sabah settled for silver and bronze medals, respectively. 

In the men’s event, Muhammad Azaruddin Mat (602) of Terengganu bagged the gold medal, while Nurfaizal Hamzah (599) of Kuala Lumpur and Ahmad Jaffri walked away with silver and bronze. 

-- BERNAMA