KUALA LUMPUR: From wandering around the Botanical Gardens as a child, Penang's Shaveena Mei Vejayan has big dreams of qualifying for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Today, the 20-year-old national shooter capped her final appearance at the Malaysia Games with a golden finish in the women's 10m air rifle final at the National Shooting Range in Subang.
The Penangite shot 243.7 points, finishing ahead of favourite Nur Izazi Rosli (243.5) of the Federal Territories and Perak's Nurul Athirah Huzaimi (219.2).
Shaveena said: "It's bittersweet for me because this will be my last Malaysia Games appearance.
"I finished eighth at the previous edition in Perak (2018), and to win gold in my final appearance is a great feeling.
"The final was really close. It was down to the wire. Izazi is also my national teammate, so there is some healthy competition there."
Shaveena, the only child of Vejayan Chamunni and Chuah Suan Peng, said it was not easy convincing her parents when she first decided to pick up the sport.
However, after learning more about it, they are now her faithful supporters.
"It wasn't easy because being the only child and wanting to get involved with firearms, my parents were definitely not happy.
"I stumbled upon the Penang Rifle Club while walking around the Botanical Gardens. I used to go there to exercise when I was young.
"It is my dream to compete at the Olympics. The target is Paris 2024, but it will depend on the planning of my coaches," added the Management and Science University (MSU) student.