Chu Sian Beats Khairul In Final, Dedicates Victory To The Late Salam

JAKARTA: Top archer Cheng Chu Sian was feeling under the weather yesterday but it did not stop him from hitting the bull’s-eye for the third time in a row at the SEA Games – making him the most successful athlete in his sport in the region..

His joy, however, was overshadowed by the tragic news of the death of his friend, the wheelchair-bound Salam Sidek, who is the first Paralympic archer to qualify for next year’s London Olympic Games.

It is learnt that the 28-year-old Salam, who had won many honours in the Paralympics, had collapsed at home and was pronounced dead at a hospital in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

Victory anthem: Malaysia’s Cheng Chu Sian (right) and Khairul Anuar Mohd at the podium during the medal presentation ceremony in Senayan.

At the archery range, Malaysia were assured of a grand 1-2 finish in the men’s individual recurve final when the Olympic-bound Chu Sian and Khairul Anuar Mohd won their semi-final matches in contrasting fashion.

Chu Sian outclassed Thailand’s Witthaya Thamwong 6-0 while Khairul scrapped through with a 6-4 win over Vietnam’s Cuong Lee Dai.

In the final shootout on a gloomy day, which was delayed due to heavy rain and thunder, Chu Sian dropped the first three-arrow shoot before charging back in the next three ends to beat a jaded Khairul 6-2.

Chu Sian and Khairul were not aware of Salam’s death as the team management did not want them to lose focus.

When Chu Sian found out about Salam’s death after his victory, it immediately took some colour off his face.

“He was a good athlete. Both of us had the same interest in cameras.

“He used to get my advice on which was the best in the market ... my win here is for him,” said Chu Sian, who won the same event in Korat 2007 and Laos 2009.

On his reign in the Games, Chu Sian remained modest.

“I was not too well today. I felt feverish but I am happy that I managed to handle the situation well,” he said.

“Except for me, all the others in the team are first-timers in the Games. I came here just to support and encourage these youngsters.

“Khairul has done well and I am happy with the healthy rivalry that we have in the team.”

Chu Sian will also take part in the men’s team and mixed pair events but he has a better chance to lead the men’s team to a gold medal.

The Malaysian women archers – Olympic-bound Nurul Syafiqah Hashim and Shahira Abdul Halim – failed to hit the target in the women’s individual recurve event.

For the record, besides Salam’s death, the archery fraternity also lost their former officer Harun Osman during the Games in Palembang.

Said national coach Lee Jae-hyung: “The men archers did well to deliver the goods but our women first-timers were all jittery.

“This, however, will be a good experience for them.”