Tuesday, July 31, 2012

The real challenge begins

LEE Chong Wei's bid for the ultimate prize of them all - an Olympic gold medal - starts on Wednesday with a last-16 clash with Simon Santoso of Indonesia (9pm in Malaysia).

Though the records are in Chong Wei's favour - he holds a 7-1 lead over Santoso in their head-to-head, the Malaysian wasn't particularly impressive in his group stage win over Finland's Ville Lang on Monday, needing three games to seal his place in the last 16.

However, Chong Wei - despite the Olympics being his first tournament since the Thomas Cup Finals in May when he injured his ankle - shouldn't worry too much as he has the quality to send Santoso packing.

The only reason why Lang stretched Chong Wei to three games was the Malaysian's rush to win the match quickly and this resulted in him making numerous errors in the second game, which the Finn took advantage of to win.

Though Chong Wei is fearful that he could let Malaysia down, he must understand that the nation is behind him in his bid to end the long wait for Olympic gold.

A win on Wednesday will see Chong Wei playing the winner of the Niluka Karunaratne (Sri Lanka)-P. Kashyap (India) tie, a match made possible by the two slaying big names in the group stage.

Another win for Chong Wei in Thursday's quarter-finals should set him up with Chen Long, China's young pretender who is looking to take over Lin Dan's throne, in the semi-finals on Friday.

In the men's doubles, Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong play Thai dangermen Bodin Isara-Maneepong Jongjit on Thursday and they will have to tread carefully.

However, the Malaysian pair have seemed confident- despite losing in straight games to South Korea's Chung Jae Sung-Lee Yong Dae in their final group match on Tuesday - and they should triumph, which is likely to mean a semi-final clash with reigning world champions and raging favourites Cai Yun-Fu Haifeng in Saturday's semi-finals.

FIXTURES

MEN'S SINGLES 

WEDNESDAY

Match 1: Lee Chong Wei v Simon Santoso (Ina) - 9pm
Match 2:  Niluka Karunaratne (Sri) v P. Kashyap (Ind) - 4pm
Match 3: Chen Long (Chn) v Wong Wing Ki (HK) - Thursday 12.05am
Match 4: Peter Gade (Den) v Son Wan Ho (Kor) - Thursday 12.05am
Match 5: Jan O Jorgensen (Den) v Lee Hyun Il (Kor) - 7.30pm
Match 6: Marc Zwiebler (Ger) v Chen Jin (Chn) - Thursday 12.45am
Match 7: Kevin Cordon (Gua) v Sho Sasaki (Jpn) - Thursday 1.30am
Match 8: Taufik Hidayat (Ina) v Lin Dan (Chn) - 4.45pm

(In Malaysian time)

THURSDAY

Quarter-finals
Q-final 1: Winner 1 v Winner 2
Q-final 2: Winner 3 v Winner 4
Q-final 3: Winner 5 v Winner 6
Q-final 4: Winner 7 v Winner 8

FRIDAY

Semi-finals
S-final 1: Winner Q-final 1 v Winner Q-final 2
S-final 2: Winner Q-final 3 v Winner Q-final 4

SUNDAY
Final

MEN'S DOUBLES

THURSDAY (Order of play to be decided)

Q-final 1: Cai Yun-Fu Haifeng (Chn) v Chai Biao-Zhendong Guo (Chn)
Q-final 2:  Bodin Isara-Maneepong Jongjit (Tha) v Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong
Q-final 3: Fang Chieh Min-Lee Sheng Mu (Tai) v Mathias Boe-Carsten Mogensen (Den)
Q-final 4: Mohammad Ahsan-Bona Septano (Ina) v Chung Jae Sung-Lee Yong Dae (Kor)

SATURDAY

Semi-finals
Winners Q-final 1 v Winners Q-final 2
Winners Q-final 3 v Winners Q-final 4

SUNDAY

Final

Thais next for Koo-Tan

KOO Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong will play Thai darkhorses Bodin Isara-Maneepong Jongjit after they fell 21-16, 21-11 to South Korea's Chung Jae Sung-Lee Yong Dae in their final London
Olympics Group D match at the London Arena on Tuesday.

That stretched their head-to-head to 13-2 in favour of the Koreans but one has to think this was a calculated gamble by the Malaysians.

Had they won to top the group, Kien Keat-Boon Heong would have to play Indonesians Mohammad Ahsan-Bona Septano in Thursday's quarter-finals. Although their head-to-head is only 3-2 in favour of the Indonesians, the Malaysians recent record probably part a major role in the strategising of the national camp.

Koo Kien Keat (front) and Tan Boon Heong
The Malaysian camp, however, insisted they played to win.

"The players tried but the Koreans were at the top of their game today," said doubles coach Tan Kim Her. "We tried different strategies but Chung-Lee managed to counter all of them."

Kien Keat-Boon Heong, who had been impressive in their first two group games, just couldn't cope with the power play of the Koreans.

"We had an off day but I believe if we were to meet them again, it will be a different performance from us," said Kien Keat.

That can only happen if both pairs advance to the final, which several others are eyeing, and what matters for the moment is the challenge of the Thais.

"We have to analyse their games and devise the right strategy. We have only played them once - in the 2009 Sea Games - which we won but they have, obviously, improved," said Boon Heong.

For Kien Keat-Boon Heong, they are at the same stage they were four years ago in the Beijing Games and destiny is now in their hands.

Dive too far for Malaysians

THERE was no Olympic cheer for Malaysia at the Aquatics Centre as Pandelela Rinong-Leong Mun Yee failed to live up to the hype in the women's 10m platform synchro final on Tuesday.

They succumbed to nerves, which is a common problem with Malaysian athletes, to finish seventh despite being in bronze medal position at one stage.

Pandelela Rinong-Leong Mun Yee finished seventh in the 10m platform synchro.
"We failed to perform and we are both hugely disappointed," said Pandelela, who had won the 2009 World Championships bronze with Mun Yee in the same event.

Mistakes littered their dives - especially the third to fifth attempts - and there was to be no coming back as the other divers were more consistent.

China's Chen Ruolin-Wang Hao were runaway winners, scoring a total 368.40 for the gold while Mexico's Alejandra Orozco Loza-Paola Espinosa Sanchez (343.32) took the silver. Bronze went to Canadians Roseline Filion-Meahgan Benfeito who scored 337.62.

Malaysia scored a 308.52 total.

Mun Yee's Olympics is over but Pandelela still has the 10m platform individual on Aug 8  to make amends.

Shivers fail to derail Khairul

BOTH suffered a case of the shivers ahead of their all-Malaysian showdown at Lord's cricket ground but Khairul Anuar Mohamad turned out to be the cooler of the two as he beat Cheng Chu Sian in the first round of the London Olympics men's individual on Tuesday.

That was soon followed by the scalp of China's Xing Yu, which meant a last-16 clash with Britain's Larry Godfrey on Friday.

"It was very tough, having to compete against your teammate. We are all very close and could not believe the draw when it came out," said Khairul, 21.

Khairul Anuar Mohamad meets Britain's Larry Godfrey on Friday.
Khairul and Chu Siang's tie was a real nerve-wrecker with both taking turns to lead before the former sealed his second round berth with a 6-4 (29-26, 27-28, 25-27, 29-27, 30-29) triumph.

"I had to forget who was my opponent as both of us were determined to give Malaysia something to cheer for after the team event (where they were eliminated in the first round)."

Khairul's match against Xing Yu was also filled with tension as they were tied 5-5 (28-30, 29-29, 28-27, 28-7, 26-28) on points, which meant a one-arrow shoot off.

Khairul was spot on, as his arrow landed closest to the bullseye and ensured there would be Malaysian involvement in Friday's deciding day.

It is now up to Khairul to determine just how serious that involvement will be.

Monday, July 30, 2012

A scare for Chong Wei

Lee Chong Wei's first match fears nearly turned into a reality as the Malaysian needed three games to beat Finland's Ville Lang in his opening London Olympics match the Wembley Arena on Monday.

After an easy first game, mistakes littered Chong Wei's play in the second and only a purple patch, which saw him scoring 10 points in a row in the decider, pulled the Malaysian through 21-8, 14-21, 21-11.

"It was my first competitive match in almost three months and I felt both jittery and rusty," said Chong Wei, who was making a competitive comeback after injuring his ankle in the Thomas Cup Finals in May.

Lee Chong Wei struggled against Ville lang of Finland in his opening London Olympics match.
Defeat though, was never a thought despite the struggle against Lang.

"I wanted to win the match in two games and that led to me making too many mistakes at the net as well as numerous half court shots. Lang is a good player and he took advantage of the fact that I had not played competitively in a while. However, I was always confident that I would win," added Chong Wei.

Bitter rival Lin Dan opened his campaign with an emphatic 21-8, 21-14 win over Scott Evans of Ireland but Chong Wei said he wasn't thinking about the final just yet.

"As I said, this is my first match and now, I want to focus on the next game (most probably against Simon Santoso on Indonesia). All I can do now is try my best and hopefully, get better as the tournament progresses."

Meanwhile, Tee Jing Yi beat Italian Agnese Allegrini 21-17, 21-14 in their women's singles Group B match. The Malaysian's Olympic hopes, however, are hanging by a thread as Korean Bae Yeon Ju will advance to the elimination rounds if she beats Agnese in the final group match on Tuesday.

MALAYSIANS IN ACTION - JULY 31

ARCHERY

Cheng Chu Sian v Khairul Anuar Mohamad
Men's individual, elimination
(5.30pm)

Nurul Syafiqah Hashim v Lin Chia En (Tai)
Women's individual, elimination
(10.20pm)

BADMINTON


Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong v Chung Jae Sung-Lee Yong Dae (Kor)
Men's doubles, group stage
(Aug 1, 1.30am)

Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying v Sudket Prapakamol-Saralee Thoungthongkam (Thai)
Mixed doubles, group stage
(3.30pm)

DIVING

Pandalela Rinong-Leong Mun Yee
Women's 10m platform synchro final
(10pm)

SAILING
Khairulnizam Mohd Afendy
Men's Laser Races 3 & 4
(7pm)

(In Malaysian time)

Haziq pays heavy price

JULY 30: He was desperate to redeem himself but his eagerness to win saw archer Haziq Kamaruddin bidding an early goodbye to the London Olympics at cricket ground Lord's on Monday.

Having performed poorly in the team event, which saw Malaysia also exiting at the first stage, Haziq took to the competition on Monday with a vow to advance as far as possible in the individual event.

Haziq Kamaruddin's Olympic adventure is over. Pic: Khairul Ghazali
He started brightly, winning the first set 29-27 and then showed neves of steel to pull himself back into reckoning after opponent Denis Gankin of Kazakhstan won the next two (28-27, 28-27) by clinching the fourth 26-25.

However, a poor rist arrow - which gave him just seven points - in the final game cost him dearly as he lost 26-25.

"I was desperate to win after performing poorly in the team event and lost my focus in the final game," said Haziq, 19.

Haziq's exit means Malaysia are now down to two men archers and one will exit in the first round on Tuesday as Cheng Chu Sian and Khairul Anuar Mohamad will face each other while women archer Nurul Syafiqah Hashim takes on Lin Chia En of Taiwan.

Sunday, July 29, 2012

Mixed pair crash, Chong Wei to take off

JULY 29: Touted as possible medal winners, the London Olympics campaign of mixed doubles pair Chan Peng Soon-Goh Yiu Ling came to a crushing end after they were beaten 21-14, 21-8 by China's Xu Chen-Ma Jin at London's Wembley Arena on Sunday,

Although Peng Soon-Liu Ying have one more match to play, it is purely academic as they lost their opening match to Taiwan's Chen Hung Ling-Cheng Wen Hsing on Saturday.

Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying's London Olympics campaign is over.
The Malaysians were given a glimmer of hope when the Taiwanese were beaten by Thailand's Sudket Prapakamol-Saralee Thoungthongkam earlier on Sunday but failed to take advantage.

Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong have impressed in their first two London Olympics matches.
Their defeat came after Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong raised Malaysian hopes with an emphatic 21-12, 21-14 win over Americans Howard Bach-Tony Gunawan, a result which sealed their quarter-final berth.

Making his London Olympic debut on Monday (early Tuesday in Malaysia) will be Lee Chong Wei, the nation's best medal hope.

Lee Chong Wei will be hoping to shed tears of joy at the end of the London Olympics.
All eyes will be on Chong Wei as he makes his first competitive appearance - against Ville Lang of Finland - since the ankle injury which he suffered in the Thomas Cup finals in May.

Also in action early Tuesday morning will be women's singles Tee Jing Yi, who plays Italian Agnese Allegrini.

Jing Yi, who impressed with a fighting performance against South Korea's Bae Yeon Jo, is aiming for a victory - the target she set herself prior to the Games.

Other Malaysians in action on Monday are archer Haziq Kamaruddin, who takes on Denis Gankin of Kazakhstan in the first round while sailor Khairulnizam Mohd Afendy opens his Laser account with Race 1 & 2.


MALAYSIANS IN ACTION ON MONDAY, JULY 30

ARCHERY
Haziq Kamaruddin v Denis Gankin (Kaz)
Men's individual, elimination
(5.15pm)

BADMINTON
Lee Chong Wei v Ville Lang (Fin)
Men’s singles, group stage
(Tuesday, 3.15am)

Tee Jing Yi v Agnese Allegrini (Ita)
Women's singles, group stage
(Tuesday, 3.50am)

SAILING
Khairulnizam Mohd Afendy
Men's laser, Races 1 & 2
(7pm)

(In Malaysian time)

Koo-Tan cruise into quarter-finals

JULY 29: Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong produced another fiery performance to confirm their London Olympics quarter-finals berth at the Wembley Arena on Sunday.

The Malaysians, who had sizzled in their opening match on Saturday against Japan's Naoki Kawamae-Shoji Sato, were even more impressive against former world champions Howard Bach-Tony Gunawan of the United States.

The Malaysians were totally dominant, winning 21-12, 21-14 in 24 minutes, and if they can maintain their form, will be a handful for any pair in the knockout stages.

"All we want to do is focus on the competition and try to go as far as we can," said Kien Keat.

"We have worked hard for the Olympics and we will try our best to win a medal."

Boon Heong said Sunday's performance would further boost their confidence ahead of their final Group D clash against South Koreans Chung Jae Sung-Lee Yong Dae, who will offer them a challenge of a totally different level.

"It will be tough against the Koreans but we are playing well and are looking forward to the clash," said Boon Heong.

Peng Sean cherishes outing

JULY 29: As the first Malaysian fencer to compete in the London Olympics in 48 years, Yu Peng Sean only lasted for two bouts but the 29-year-old sabre exponent will not trade his experience for anything.

Though he wanted to advance further, Peng Sean had to concede that in Hungarian Aron Szilagyi, he met more than his match.

Yu Peng Sean lost in the second round at the London Olympics.

"He was just too good and he had to be, considering that he is the World No 5 and I am only 37th," said Peng Sean.

"Still, this is a memory I will forever cherish as competing in the London Olympics and winning one match were my targets."

Peng Sean outpointed  Egyptian Zeid Mannad 15-12 in the first round before succumbing 15-1 to Szilagyi in their round of 32 tie.

Saturday, July 28, 2012

Hoping for a better Sunday

JULY 28: With doubles Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong the only Malaysian winners on Saturday, the Malaysian contingent will be hoping for better news on Sunday, when diving opens its London Olympics campaign.

Kien Keat-Boon Heong produced some of their finest badminton to beat Japan's Naoki Kawamae-Shoji Sato 21-12, 21-14 in their group match and meet former American world champions Howard Bach-Tony Gunawan on Sunday.

Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong can seal their London Olympics quarter-final berth today. Pic: Khairul Ghazali

The Americans were beaten 21-14, 21-19 by South Korea's Chung Jae Sung-Lee Yong Dae in their opening match on Saturday and Kien Keat-Boon Heong will fancy their chances of sealing their place in the quarter-finals on Sunday.

It will, however, be a case of do-or-die for mixed doubles Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying as they have to win against China's Xu Chen-Ma Jin in their group match after losing to Taiwan's Chen Hung Ling-Cheng Wen Hsing on Saturday.

The Malaysians have to shed the inhibitions displayed against the Taiwanese if they are to stand a chance against the China pair.

"We were too cautious against the Taiwan pair but we are faced with a do-or-die situation and we will play more aggressively against China," said Peng Soon.

Also in action today will be divers Pandelela Rinong and Cheong Jun Hoong in the 3m springboard synchro.

Pandelela Rinong and Leong Mun Yee are targeted to win a medal in the 10m platform synchro.

While a medal is not expected in this event, Pandelela is targeted to deliver one with Leong Mun Yee in the 10m platform synchro and Sunday's event is the perfect opportunity for her to get a competitive warm-up.

Making his Olympic debut today will be fencer Yu Peng Kean in the sabre and the Malaysian, who has already created history by qualifying for the Olympics, will be hoping to prolong his London dream. He faces Egypt's Mannad Zeid in the first round on Sunday.

MALAYSIANS IN ACTION ON SUNDAY, JULY 29

BADMINTON

Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong v Howard Bach-Tony Gunawan (US)
Men's doubles, group stage
(9.15pm)

Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying v Xu Chen-Ma Jin (Chn)
Mixed Doubles, group stage
(Monday, 2.10am)

DIVING

Pandelela Rinong , Cheong Jun Hoong
Women's 3m springboard synchro
(10pm)

FENCING

Yu Peng Kean
Men's individual sabre, elimination
(5.30pm)

In Malaysian time

Resounding start for Kien Keat-Boon Heong


JULY 28: There were no hiccups as Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong started on their road to redemption with an emphatic 21-12, 21-14 win over Japan's Naoki Kawamae-Shoji Sato of Japan in their opening London Olympics group match on Saturday.

Victory was a must, with former world champions Tony Gunawan-Howard Bach and raging favourites for gold Chung Jae Sung-Lee Yong Dae also in the group, and Kien Keat-Boon Heong didn't disappoint.

In fact, their performance bordered on impressive and if they duo maintain their form, a place in the quarter-finals should be theirs.

"We played very well and our understanding was very good," said Kien Keat, whose poor form had been of particular concern coming into the Olympics.

"We moved very well and once we got into our groove, the Japanese found it very tough," he added.

Boon Heong, who said prior to the Games that gold was his only target, said it was all about focus.

"If we keep focused, I am confident of our chances," said Boon Heong.


Mixed pair suffer body blow

JULY 28: Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying's Olympics hopes are hanging by a thread after the mixed pair crashed crashed 11-21, 21-6, 15-21 to Taiwan's Chen Hung Ling-Cheng Wen Hsing at the Wembley Arena on Saturday.

The pair, said to have an outside chance of winning a medal, looked to be on course to beat the Taiwanese after strongly rebounding in the second game and matching their opponents for the first part of the decider.

However, cautiousness cost them dearly as Hung Ling-Wen Hsing upped the tempo in the crucial stages of the decider.

"We made too many mistakes as we opted to play defensively," said a visibly disappointed Liu Ying.

It was their fifth defeat at the hands of the Taiwanese pair and Peng Soon said they have to perform better against China's Xu Chen-Ma Jin on Sunday if they are to stay on track for a place in the
next round.

"Our chances have dimmed but we still have a chance and we will try to play better than we did against the Taiwanese pair," said Peng Soon.

Suryani's Olympic dream over

JULY 28: She needed to match her personal best score to have any hope of making the London Olympics 10m Air Rifle final but Nur Suryani Taibi could only manage 392 as her dreams were crushed at the Royal Artillery Barracks on Saturday.

Already assured of star status thanks to her advanced stage of pregnancy, Nur Suryani was also hoping to make an impact with her shooting skills but it was not to be.


Nur Suryani finished 34th in the 10m Air Rifle

"When I competed this morning, I didn't feel anything special. In fact, I felt like I normally do during competitions. I tried my best but it was not to be but the experience will stand me in good stead for the future," said the 29-year-old.

There was some discomfort while shooting but Nur Suryani said it didn't bother her.

"The baby was moving but that didn't affect my concentration nor my ability to shoot. It is just that on the day, I needed to produce my personal best score to have a chance, which I didn't," said Nur Suryani.

With the baby due within the next month, Suryani plans to take an extended break before resuming her career in 2013 but for the London Games, as seen by the hordes of print and broadcast media interviewing her, she is assured of being one of the enduring images of 2012.

Jing Yi walks tall

JULY 28: Shuttler Tee Jing Yi may have lost but the plucky 21-year-old found plenty of plus points after succumbing 21-16, 15-21, 21-12 to South Korea's Bae Yeon-Ju at the Wembley Arena on Saturday.

Jing Yi surprised the 11th seeded Korean in the first game and went toe-to-toe with her for the first half of the second before Yeon-Ju surged ahead to 15-10 and never looked back after that.

"This was only the second time that I was meeting her and I think she was surprised by my aggressive approach in the first game. However, she controlled play in the second and I couldn't change the flow," said Jing Yi.

Still, she was satisfied with her performance as her first meeting with the Korean had ended with Jing Yi not even able to score 21 points over two games.

"I have narrowed the gap and that, for me, is a plus point. I still have one more match to play (against Italian Agnese Allegrini on Monday) which I want to win. Hopefully, the Italian can shock the Korean when they meet to open up a chance for me to enter the next round."

Coach Rashid Sidek had high praise for Jing Yi.

"She may have lost but Jing Yi has shown vast improvement and I believe she has a bright future," said Rashid, a men's singles bronze medalist in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.

Friday, July 27, 2012

Malaysians make presence felt in opening ceremony

JULY 27:  A total 22 athletes and officials, led by flagbearer Pandelela Rinong,  represented Malaysia in the glittering London Olympics opening ceremony on Friday.

Although Malaysia had been allocated 30 places for the ceremony, Chef-de-Mission Tun Ahmad Sarji
decided on the lower number as several athletes will be in action on Saturday.

''Athletes from sports such as badminton, shooting, archery and the road cyclists were allowed to skip the opening ceremony as they have to focus on their events," said Ahmad Sarji.


ON A MISSION: Pandelela Rinong leads out the Malaysian contingent at the London Olympics opening ceremony.

Ahmad Sarji participated in the opening ceremony, which also saw Tan Sri A. Halil Mutalib, Datuk Naim Mohamad, Rosmanizam Abdullah, Jefri Ngadirin, Tang Kwai Mae, Ng Chin Chai, Muzli
Mustakim, Paul Birmingham, Yu Peng Kean, Heidi Gan, Khoo Chai Lin, Afendy Abdullah, Ng Yan Yee, Traisy Vivien Tukiet, Leong Mun Yee, Rao Bin,  Khairulnizam Afendy, Azizulhasni Awang, Josiah Ng, Fatehah Mustapa and Pandelela representing Malaysia.

Meanwhile, pregnant shooter Nur Suryani Taibi, who has been a much sought after athlete in London, swings into action on Saturday hoping to make history by becoming the first Malaysian to win a shooting medal.

Though it will be tough, Suryani, 29, believes she has a chance as past records count for nothing in a major meet like the Olympics.

"Although there are many world class shooters in the field, anything can happen on competition day. I am here after so much of struggle and sacrifice and I am going to make it count," said Suryani.

Also in action today will be badminton players Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong, Tee Jing Yi and Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying.

Cyclists Adiq Husainie Othman, Amir Mustafa Rusli will join a world class field in the gruelling 250km road race while the men's archery team will be out to make amends following their disappointing showing in the ranking round on Friday.

MALAYSIANS IN ACTION ON SATURDAY, JULY 28

ARCHERY

Cheng Chu Sian, Haziq Kamaruddin, Khairul Anuar Mohamad v Mexico
Men's Team - Elimination
(5.15pm)

BADMINTON

Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong v Naoki Kawamae-Shoji Sato (Jpn)
Men's doubles, group stage
(8pm)

Tee Jing Yi v Bae Yeon Jo (Kor)
Women's singles, group stage
(3.30pm)

Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying v Chen Hung Ling-Cheng Wen Hsing (Tai)
Mixed doubles, group stage
(7.30pm)

CYCLING

Adiq Husainie Othman, Amir Mustafa Rusli
Men's Road Race
(5pm)

SHOOTING

Nur Suryani Taibi
Women's 10m Air Rifle
(3pm)

(All in Malaysian time)

Archers wilt at Lord's

UPDATED

JULY 27: Malaysia will have to do it the hard way if a medal is to be won in archery after the national challenge fizzled out in today's ranking round at the Lord's Cricket ground..

Malaysia finished 10th in the team event with 1,981 points and will face Mexico in the first round tomorrow. A win is likely to see them playing France, who finished second in the ranking round, in the quarter-finals.

The situation in the individual is equally bleak as Khairul Anuar Mohamad, the best placed Malaysian finisher at 20th, will face compatriot Cheng Chu Sian in the first round on Monday. Chu Sian, a quarter-finalist in Beijing 2008, finished 45th in the ranking round.

Haziq Kamaruddin, the other Malaysian in action, faces Kazakhstan's Denis Gankin tomorrow.

Sole woman archer Nurul Syafiqah Hashim had an even more miserable outing, finishing 60th out of a field of 64 in the ranking play-off.

She faces France's Berengere Schuh, who finished 37th in the ranking round,  in the first elimination round on Tuesday.

Thursday, July 26, 2012

Face off at Wembley Arena

JULY 26: They may be foes on court but Lee Chong Wei and Lin Dan, the man standing between the Malaysian and Olympic gold, are good friends when they are not competing against each other.

Photographer Khairul Ghazali, who will be bringing the best of Malaysia at the Olympics for New Straits Times, Berita Harian and Harian Metro, caught the two having a chat outside London's Wembley Arena today.


Friends and foes: Lee Chong Wei and Lin Dan chat outside the Wembley Arena in London.
Pic by Khairul Ghazali


Though young China upstart Chen Long will fancy his chances of upsetting Chong Wei should the two meet in the semi-finals, Lin Dan must surely know that if the Malaysian has shrugged off his ankle injury, the reigning world and Olympic must be prepared for an epic battle - as was the case when the two met in the World Championships final at the same arena 12 months ago.

Having lost several major finals to Lin Dan in the past, Chong Wei knows this could be his last opportunity to upstage his nemesis.

Early win for Malaysia

JULY 26: The London Olympics officially kick-off tomorrow but Malaysia scored an early win when Kuala Lumpur won the bid to host the International Olympic Committee's 2015 Congress.

A major item on the agenda will be to decide the host city for the 2022 Winter Olympics.

Olympic Council of Malaysia president Tunku Imran Tuanku Ja'afar said hosting the Congress was a major honour for the country.

"The eyes of the world will be on Malaysia during the Congress, which will be held in either July or August, 2015," said Tunku Imran.

Also part of the bidding team was Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek while Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak supported Malaysia's campaign through a recorded statement.

The Congress will be chaired by a new president as current chief Jacques Rogge steps down next year.

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Malaysian Olympians can postpone Ramadan fast


Kuala Lumpur: The London Olympics which open Friday mark the first time the Summer Games will be held during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan since the 1980 Moscow Olympics.

   During Ramadan, which began last weekend, Muslims are expected to abstain  from food, drink and sex from dawn until sunset, when they break their fast  with a meal known as Iftar.

   But a senior member of the National Fatwa Council, Malaysia’s top religious authority, said athletes can postpone their fast until after the Games as they are competing at an international event for the nation’s honour.

   “They are going to the Olympics to bring fame for the country. They can fast when they return to Malaysia,” Mufti Harussani Zakaria, the top religious official for the Malaysian state of Perak, told AFP on Monday.

   “The Quran says if you have a mission to complete, you can postpone the fasting but you must replace the number of days you did not fast.” Eleven out of the 30 Malaysian athletes going to London are Muslim.

   One of Malaysia’s top medal prospects, cyclist Azizulhasni Awang, who won silver at the 2009 track cycling world championships, is among the athletes who will put off fasting, Malaysian media reported this week.

   Sieh Kok Chi, secretary of the Olympic Council of Malaysia, also said Olympic athletes should not fast while competing.

   “It is a once in their lifetime chance to participate in the Olympics. They should opt out from fasting for one or two days so that they stand a chance of winning a medal,” he told AFP.

   Malaysia will compete in nine sports in London, with Muslims taking part in archery, cycling, shooting, sailing and track and field.

   Shooter Nur Suryani Mohamad Taibi, who will compete in London despite being  eight months pregnant, is excused from fasting since she is expecting, but said  all Muslims should be excused from fasting during competition.

   “Islam is lenient. It is not a religion that forces people. Actually when we go to London we are termed as travellers. Islam allows us to postpone our fasting,” she said.

   British tabloid The Daily Mail reported in 2006 that the London-based Islamic Human Rights Commission said the Olympics timing was insensitive while Turkey, Egypt and Morocco lobbied for it to be rescheduled.

   The International Olympic Committee, however, declined the requests, saying the Games were a secular event.

   Islamic authorities in countries such as Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Algeria, and Morocco have recently allowed their athletes to postpone their fasts despite disagreement from some Muslims. - AFP