Malaysia's Petanque Squad Builds Momentum for SEA Games
Malaysia's Petanque Squad Builds Momentum for SEA Games with Strong Asian Championship Haul
The national petanque team delivered a promising performance at the Asian Petanque Championships, concluding last Sunday with a haul of three silver and three bronze medals, solidifying their prospects for the upcoming SEA Games in Thailand.
This successful campaign on home turf at Arena Petanque Kuala Lumpur underscores the team's consistent form. It continues a proud national tradition; since petanque's introduction at the 2003 Hanoi Games, Malaysia has never failed to medal, securing gold in four of the past five editions.
While a gold medal was elusive this time, the results affirm the team's competitive readiness.
This builds on a strong run of international form, including a men's singles bronze at the World Championships in Rome and the Nation Cup title at the Women's World Championships in France. The momentum extends to the youth level, with a mixed doubles bronze won at last month's World Junior Championships in Spain.
Head coach Nasir Noor praised the squad's remarkable commitment, as most players juggle full-time careers with elite training. "Many of our players hold regular jobs, so finding time to train isn't easy," Nasir said. "But they've shown tremendous discipline and professionalism to keep our SEA Games preparations on track."
He highlighted Nur Iman Aina Ahmad Sabti's unexpected silver in precision shooting as a testament to the team's depth. "We were considered underdogs in that event," he admitted. "Results like Aina's show the determination within this team. We'll keep improving to close the gap on Thailand and Vietnam."
The championship also revealed exciting new talent. Emerging players like Muqri Arif Sapiny, Idham Shahrulzahari, and Khairul Amirul Zamrul Hisyam, who took bronze in the men's triples, proved they can deliver under pressure. A junior team also secured silver in the mixed triples, highlighting a robust pipeline beyond established stars.
Veteran player-coach Nuzul Azwan, who won a precision-shooting bronze and is set for his eighth SEA Games, echoed the sentiment of a narrowing gap with regional powerhouses. "The gap isn't huge," Azwan stated. "We just need more exposure and belief."
