CONGRATE MUSLIFAH

PETALING JAYA: Shooter Muslifah Zulkifli overcame the tough new format introduced in the NSAM President Ally T. H. Ong Trophy to win the gold medal in the 50m rifle three position event yesterday.
The Armed Forces shooter finished fourth in the qualifying rounds with a score of 572 at the Subang Shooting Range in Subang.
However, in the final she accumulated the highest points to win the gold with the total score of 450.2 points.
She amassed 151.7 points in kneeling position, 153.2 in prone position and 145.3 points in standing position in the 15 rounds in each position. Aina Zahiran of Pahang, who finished sixth in the qualifying rounds, bagged the silver with 439.0 points while the bronze went to Selangor’s Nur Syahirah Zulkifli, who accumulated 428.1 points.
Nur Suryani Mohd Taibi, who featured in the 2012 London Olympics, failed to qualify for the final round after finishing in 10th spot with a poor score of 560 points. Under the new format started this year, eight finalists will start with zero scores and there will be elimination rounds, ending with a final two-shooter duel for the gold and silver medal.
The new format was introduced to make it more competitive and interesting.
The 28-year-old Muslifah said that the new rule change is quite challenging.
“If you do well in the qualifying rounds it doesn’t mean that you will be among the medallists. We had to start fresh in the final round and I find shooting in three different position – kneeling, prone and standing – is really tough as you are given a short period of time in each position,” said Muslifah.
“I am still getting used to the new format. But I am happy to win the gold as it was also very windy during the competition.
“It has been a splendid outing for me this month as last week I won the silver in the 50m rifle prone event in the H.H. The Amir of Kuwait Grand Prix.
“And I hope to continue doing well as my mission this year is to win the gold medal in the rifle prone event,” said Muslifah, who posted 592 points in Kuwait to equal the qualifying mark for the Myanmar SEA Games.
Other shooters also struggled to do well in yesterday because of the new format.
Results:
MEN
10m air rifle (Individual): 1. Mohd Lufti Othman (Nse) 204.0, 2. Mohd Ezuan Nasir Khan (For) 202.8, 3. Mohd Ashraf Izham (Pen) 179.7.
Team: 1. Armed Forces 1,721, 2. Pahang 1,715, 3. Malacca 1,703.
25m rapid fire pistol (Individual): 1. Hasli Izwan Amir Hasan (Prk) 569, 2. Khalel Abdullah (For) 565, 3. Mohd Riduan Mohamed (For) 538.
Team: 1. Armed Forces 1,629, 2. Pahang 1,492
WOMEN
50m rifle three position (Individual): 1. Muslifah Zulkifli (For) 450.2, 2. Aina Zahiran (Pah) 439.0, 3. Nur Syahirah Zulkifli (Sel) 428.1.
Team: 1. Armed Forces 1,715, 2. Pahang 1,701, 3. Malacca 1,680.

SOURCE : THESTAR