Malaysia Targets More Archers in Tokyo Paralympics

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 29 (Bernama) -- National para archery coach, Marzuki Zakaria is confident more national para archers will qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games on merit after a strong showing at the Continental Qualifying Tournament which ended in Bangkok, Thailand on Saturday. He revealed the opportunity for national para archers is still open as there are several more 2020 Paralympic qualifying tournaments next year. “I understand that each country is allowed to send two representatives in one category in Tokyo and I am optimistic more of our athletes would qualify based on their performance in Bangkok recently. “For instance, Nor Jannaton Abdul Jalil has almost qualified for Tokyo but failed after losing in the women's individual compound semi-finals. so it would not be a surprise if more of our para archers qualify on merits,” he told Bernama Tuesday. Malaysia bagged a silver and a bronze in Bangkok, via Wiro Julin and Nor Jannaton in the men's and women's compound open. The success of Wiro Julin enabled him to join another national para archer, S. Suresh in the 2020 Olympics. Suresh had earlier booked his ticket to the Paralympics after entering the final of the men's individual recurve at the World Archery Para Championships in Hertogenbosch, Holland in June. In this regard, Marzuki revealed he planned to put Suresh and Wiro in the 2020 Paralympics preparation programme to ensure both athletes are ready for the competition. -- BERNAMA