KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian women's archery team could just spoil the party for the world-class archers at the Paris Olympics later this month.
The young team, comprising 19-year-old Ariana Nur Dania Zairi, Nurul Azreena Fazil, 20, and Syaqiera Mashayikh, 24, started training together only in February but stole an Olympic ticket against more fancied teams at the World Olympic Qualifier in Turkey last month.
The trio reached the final before narrowly losing 5-4 to Hangzhou Asian Games silver medallists China to win silver.
It will be the first time a Malaysian women's squad will compete in the recurve team event at the Olympics.
Backed by Syaqiera's Tokyo 2020 experience, the team will be competing in only their sixth competition together in Paris.
They also competed in the Asian Cup in Taiwan and the World Cup competitions in Shanghai, Yecheon, and Antalya.
In Antalya last month, they reached the quarter-finals before losing to France 6-2.
En route to the last eight, the trio defeated Iran 5-4 and China 5-1 in the tournament, which attracted 34 countries.
Given their form, the Malaysian team could serve a surprise and beat the top guns, including world champions South Korea, in Paris. Among the other contenders are China, Germany, Mexico, Taiwan, India, and the United States.
In the individual event, expectations are modest for Ariana, Azreena, and Syaqiera.
The three archers are currently training in Yecheon, South Korea, to prepare for their Olympic mission under the watchful eyes of national coaches Norizham Ishak and Lee Jae Hyung.
They are also having sparring sessions with the Olympic teams of Korea, China, and Indonesia in Yecheon.
The archery qualification round starts on 25 July.