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Shooters not in Munich to make up the numbers, says coach

Shooters not in Munich to make up the numbers, says coach

KUALA LUMPUR: With the Bangkok Sea Games on the horizon (Dec), national air pistol coach Firdaus Abd Rahim is hoping his charges will gain a shot of confidence from competing at the Munich Rifle-Pistol World Cup on June 10-15.
Seasoned campaigners such as Olympian Johnathan Wong, Alia Sazana Azahari and Hasli Izwan Amir Hasan have been selected for the squad, which also features up-and-coming shooters Wan Muhammad Syafiq Wan Mustaza, Cheah Zen Hong and Nurul Syasya Nadiah Mohd Ariffin.
Firdaus is expecting his shooters to raise their game in Munich.
He expressed concerns about Syasya's recent performances.
"I want promising shooters like Syafiq, Zen Hong and Syasya to treat this World Cup not as mere exposure but as vital preparation for the Sea Games," said Firdaus when contacted today (June 9).
"I want them to show a good level in the competition and not just make up the numbers.
"Syasya has been performing below expectations lately and her progress has been slow.
"But we are working closely with her to identify the issues and implement the necessary corrections to help her improve."
The National Shooting Association of Malaysia has set a top-15 finish as the target for the national contingent in Munich.
Syafiq, Johnathan, and Zen Hong are set to compete in the men's 10m air pistol qualifying round tomorrow (June 10).
At the 2021 Hanoi SEA Games, Malaysia bagged two gold medals in shooting through Johnathan and Syasya in the men's and women's 10m air pistol events.
The sport was excluded from the 2023 Phnom Penh Sea Games but will make its comeback at the Bangkok Games in December.
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