UPSETS: Alia and Benjamin surprise strong field
IT was a day of upsets at the National Shooting Championships yesterday with Alia Sazana Azahari and Benjamin Khor notching unexpected wins against a strong field at the Subang Range.
Alia, 20, edged Commonwealth Games champion Bibiana Ng and Joseline Cheah for the women's 25-metre sport pistol gold medal.
The Terengganu-born finished second behind Siti Nur Masitah Badrin after the preliminaries but she stepped up a gear in the final round and eventually claimed the title with a grand total of 768.4 points.
Siti Nur Masitah secured the silver with a 767.7 series followed by Wahidah Ismail on 763.6.
Bibiana, the national record holder, occupied fourth position on 762.8 while national shooter Joseline managed seventh with 753.0.
Alia, a gold medallist at the Malaysia Games in July, was surprised with the win.
"I won the event at the Selangor Championships four years ago but this is the first time I've won the national championships for senior and juniors as well," said Alia yesterday.
"Hopefully, this win will help me improve before I make attempts to meet the qualifying mark for next year's Sea Games in Myanmar."
Benjamin continued his winning form from his win at the Southeast Asian Championships in July by overcoming his father, Edward, for the double trap title.
The 19-year-old, who started competing three years ago, was involved in a tense battle with Edward before prevailing by four targets with 170.
Armed Forces finished overall champions with a haul of seven gold, 10 silver and one bronze followed by Police (5-3-10, Perak (4-2-1) and Selangor (3-4-5).
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