SARITHA Cham Nong apologised to her compatriots for an earlier mistake but when it mattered most, she fired the arrow that won Malaysia the Sea Games women’s archery compound gold yesterday.
Saritha has saved her best for last as her unerring accuracy under pressure sealed the Sea Games women’s team compound gold medal for Malaysia in Bukit Jalil yesterday.
With the final against Vietnam forced into a shoot-off after ending in a 225-225 tie, it was left to Saritha as Malaysia’s final shooter to secure the win.
Saritha did not disappoint as she fired a 10, her only perfect score in nine attempts in the match, to clinch the shoot-off 28-27 at the Synthetic Turf Field.
“I didn’t expect to shoot a 10 because I had struggled all through the match and this was my first 10 in the final,” said Saritha, who could have settled matters in the fourth end without a need for a shoot-off had she done better than an eight.
“So, I’m grateful I was able to contribute to the victory. I just followed the coach’s instructions and had the support of teammates.
“I tried to focus hard on getting a 10. It’s just that I didn’t have much luck during the final until the end.”
“I feel touched with the support from my teammates and everybody else even though I’m not the strongest archer in the team,” said Saritha.
“I apologise for the mistake I made at the end of (the fourth end) but I’m happy we recovered to win in the shootoff. I thank my teammates for hanging in there until we won gold.”