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Paris 2024: Archer Ariana warns 'the best is yet to come'

KUALA LUMPUR: Following a mixed outing in the women's individual ranking round, Ariana Nur Dania Zairi hopes to make amends, starting with the team event at the Paris Olympics on Sunday.

In Thursday's ranking round, Ariana struggled at Invalides, finishing 50th with 633 points.

Ariana, who turned 19 on Saturday, and the combined scores of Syaqiera Mashayikh (663) and Nurul Azreena Fazil (622) earned Malaysia a No. 10 ranking in the team event.

They will face seventh-ranked Indonesia, comprising Diananda Choirunisa, Syifa Nurafifah Kamal, and Rezza Octavia, who shot a combined score of 1,960.

"It was neither too hot nor cold during the ranking round. However, my body condition just did not feel right," said Ariana, who holds the national record of 669 points.

"However, I have taken lessons from this experience. I am confident the conditions here will not affect me during the individual and team elimination rounds."

Meanwhile, Syaqiera, who made her Olympic debut at Tokyo 2020, said: "We have some experience against Indonesia. We will do better now that we know what to expect from the conditions here."

In the individual event, Syaqiera, who finished 14th in the ranking round, will face 51st-ranked Alexandra Mirca of Moldova in the first round on Tuesday.

"I have never met Mirca before, so I will fight as much as possible and accept whatever result.

I will not set a target to avoid pressure. I will just do my best," said the 23-year-old.

Ariana will take on 15th-ranked Chiara Rebagliati of Italy on Wednesday.

Nurul Azreena, who finished 60th in the ranking round, will face fifth-ranked Elif Berra Gokkir of Turkey the following day.

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