MALAYSIA’s 10-year wait in the double trap men’s individual event ended on Monday (21 Aug), in the opening day of the SEA Games shooting competition at the National Shooting Range Centre in Subang.
Benjamin Khor Cheng Jie , 24, however, faced a nerve wrecking moment in the last two rounds from Johor-Bahru based 15-year-old Abraham Eng Wei Jin before picking up the gold.
The England-based Benjamin shot 71 out of 80 clay birds while the latter, making his debut in the Games, scored 66 points for the silver medal. Thailand’s Temmart Sirawit grabbed the bronze with 44 targets.
Benjamin dedicated the victory to his father and personal coach Edward Khor for having inspired him in the sport.
“I’m extremely pleased with this result and hope more medals will come from the shooting events,” said Benjamin. “Apart from my dad, I’d like to thank the Olympic Council of Malaysia, the National Sports Council for their support.
“It’s an honour for me to return home to compete in the SEA Games,” he added. “This victory is also very significant for me as it has been 10 years since Malaysia won a gold medal in this event.”
Meanwhile, a visibly shaken Eng was clearly upset with his performance.
“I should have won the gold after taking a slender lead but a minor mistake was costly…It’s my first experience competing in the SEA Games. It is only a small event and I hope to be the world champion in the future,” said the 15-year-old shooter who is based in Johor Bahru.
The double trap event has not been contested for the last 10 years with Edward being the only winner by taking the bronze medal at the 2005 Manila SEA Games.
Three more gold medals are up for grabs on the second day of the competition on Tuesday (Aug 22). Malaysian shooters will compete in the 50m men’s pistol, 10m men’s air rifle and also the 25m women’s pistol.
SASARAN TEPAT BENJAMIN, MENANG EMAS DOUBLE TRAP
PENEMBAK negara Benjamin Khor Cheng Jie menamatkan penantian 10 tahun Malaysia apabila memenangi emas acara double trap individu lelaki pada hari pertama sukan itu di Lapang Sasar Menembak Nasional di Subang pada Isnin (21 Ogos).
Benjamin, 24, berdepan saingan sengit pada dua pusingan terakhir daripada rakan senegaranya berusia 15 tahun, Abraham Eng Wei Jin sebelum meraih emas.
Benjamin, yang berpusat di England mengumpul 71 mata manakala Abraham, yang pertama kali mewakili negara dalam Sukan SEA, mendapat 66 mata bagi pingat perak. Temmart Sirawit dari Thailand dengan 44 mata mendapat gangsa.
Benjamin berkata kemenangannya itu ditujukan kepada ayah dan jurulatih peribadinya, Edward Khor yang telah banyak membantu. “Saya amat berpuas hati dengan keputusan pertandingan dan berharap sukan menembak akan menyumbang lebih banyak pingat,” kata Benjamin.
“Selain ayah, saya ingin berterima kasih kepada Majlis Olimpik Malaysia dan Majlis Sukan Negara yang telah melaksanakan tugas dengan cemerlang. Kemenangan ini juga amat signifikan kerana sudah 10 tahun Malaysia tidak memenangi emas dalam acara ini,” katanya.
Sementara itu, Abraham kelihatan kecewa dengan persembahannya.
“Saya sepatutnya memenangi emas selepas mendahului tetapi kesilapan kecil yang saya lakukan mengubah semua. Ini pengalaman pertama bertanding dalam Sukan SEA. Saya berharap akan menjadi juara dunia di masa depan,” kata penembak dari Johor Baharu itu.
Acara double trap tidak dipertandingan selama 10 tahun. Hanya Edward yang telah memenangi pingat gangsa pada Sukan SEA 2005 di Manila.
Tiga lagi pingat emas akan menjadi rebutan pada hari kedua pertandingan pada Selasa (22 Ogos). Para penembak Malaysia akan menyertai 50m pistol lelaki, 10m air rifle lelaki dan 25m pistol wanita.
