Nur Syahidah Alim wins Singapore’s first-ever archery world champion title

Nur Syahidah Alim has become Singapore’s first-ever world champion archer after she won the compound women’s open competition at the 2019 World Archery Para Championships in ’s-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands.

“I’m very happy and very proud that I was able to win that gold medal for my country. It comes as a surprise, as well,” the champion said.

In the final, the 33-year-old shot against young British archer Jessica Stretton, who recently moved over from the W1 division after winning the Paralympic Games in 2016.

Alim twice took the lead by one point but after five ends the pair were tied at 141 points and headed into a shoot-off.

“I think it was a really intense match. I felt a little nervous. But with the help of my coach I stood on the ground and focused on what I had to do,” said Alim.

The Singaporean archer shot first in the tiebreak and scored a nine, high and a couple of millimetres out of the 10-ring. Stretton also landed a nine – but her arrow was wide and low, not far from the eight.

On the closest-to-the-middle measure, Alim took the match.

The first champion from Singapore managed to control her nerves before the last shot.

“I was only focusing on my coach’s voice, my process and routine. It was a really happy moment for me. It’s my first gold medal at my first para world champs,” said Alim.

Russia’s Tatiana Andrievskaia defeated Eleonora Sarti of Italy, 141-133, to win bronze.

The 2019 World Archery Para Championships take place on 3-9 June in ’s-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands.