Malaysian archers take aim at quota in honour of late teammate Haziq

A notable absence will be felt on the Malaysian recurve men’s team when it competes for one of the final Olympic quota places available in Paris this weekend. 

Both the men and women’s teams are determined to qualify for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games to honour their late teammate, two-time Olympian Haziq Kamaruddin, who died unexpectedly last month at the age of 27.

“It’s really difficult. He was my friend and my teammate, so it’s very sad,” said Muhamad Zarif Syahiir Zolkepeli, who replaces  Kamaruddin in the Malaysian line-up. “We will try to get this Tokyo 2020 ticket for Haziq. He helped me a lot on the team.”

Zarif is accompanied by Khairul Anuar Mohamad and Muhammad Akmal Nor Hasrin in Paris.

“It’s seems to be quite difficult mentally,” Hasrin said. “Not only for me but also for my teammates and coaches – just everybody in Malaysia who loves archery.”

Kamaruddin competed in two Olympics, London 2012 and Rio 2016, and was preparing for this qualifier before his passing. 

He most recently competed internationally at the Asia Cup tournament held in Bangkok at the start of 2020. His most recent podium came the year prior when he won bronze at a similar event that took place in the Philippines.