KUALA LUMPUR: Jonathan Wong produced one of the biggest upsets in the Sea Games when he upstaged Rio Olympic champion Hoang Xuan Vinh of Vietnam for the men's 10m air pistol gold medal at the Subang Shooting Range on Saturday.
The 25-year-old Malaysian was consistent and focused during the final as he posted a 238.30 total.
Xuan Vinh, 42, who won the gold in the same event in Rio, took the silver medal with 234.10 points, while Myanmar's Kyaw Swar Win earned a bronze on 214.80.
"It is a fantastic feeling to beat an Olympic champion for the title. I dedicate this to all Malaysians and also my family, and not forgetting my grandfather, who turned up for the first time here," Jonathan said.
"This will give me the motivation to attain greater things. My aim is to make an impact in next year's Gold Coast Commonwealth Games and Indonesia Asian Games."
Jonathan attributed his success to South Korean coaches Park Sang Soon and Park Cheol Wan.
"I have improved tremendously since they were hired late last year.
"The change they did is on mental strength, where they have been emphasising on it in training.
"Before their arrival, we were only focusing on shooting techniques," said the Melaka-born Jonathan.