KUCHING: Pahang shooters were bang on target at the Malaysia Games (Sukma) as they extended their domination in the men's 25-metre standard pistol event to 24 years at the Sarawak Shooting Range here.
The trio of Cheah Zen Hong, Riky Yasin Pakriudin and Azrul Akmal Zulkefli gunned down 1,633 points to ensure Pahang kept a tight grip on the gold medal, which they have won in every edition since 2000.
The trio also found themselves seven points short of equalling the Sukma record of 1,640 points set by their seniors — Low Wei Chern, Muhd Ridwan Awaluddin and Syaidiq Hanif June Hassen — at the 2016 edition.
Terengganu (1,595 points) and Selangor (1,546 points) settled for the silver and bronze respectively.
Zen Hong told reporters that their win was a result of the team's hard work and commitment to continuing the success of the Pahang shooting squad at the biennial Games.
"Our target was to defend the team gold. Then, we will focus on the individual events… personally, I did well and was able to shoot consistently.
"I am thrilled to be shooting so well although this is not my pet event. I hope the Pahang shooting team can continue this legacy," he said.
The 18-year-old also won gold in the 25m standard pistol individual event by recording 560 points, with Terengganu's Banin Al Ghazali Ahmad Badrul Hisham (541 points) taking silver and his teammate, Riky Mohamad (538 points) settling for bronze.
Zen Hong said his next target is to defend the gold medal in his pet event, the 10m air pistol, tomorrow. – BERNAMA