KUALA LUMPUR: Once sent away by his coach for arriving late to training, Negri Sembilan's Haikal Shamsuddin redeemed himself by clinching gold in both the men's individual and team 10m air rifle events at the Sarawak Malaysia Games (Sukma) today.
The 19-year-old from Mantin is pleased with his achievement, proving he has turned over a new leaf after being labelled a "naughty boy" by his coach, Abdul Mutalib Abdul Razak.
The teenager dedicated his success to his parents and to Mutalib, who played a crucial role in his development.
"I have been training with coach Mutalib for seven years. Our relationship is like that of a father and son. I often stay and eat at his house," Haikal said.
"He is a strict coach who values discipline. He once sent me away from training for arriving late.
"Before that, I was considered stubborn. However, that incident made me realise I needed to rise up and prove I could succeed.
"Alhamdulillah, the coach continued to guide and support me until I achieved success today."
The victory marks an improvement for Haikal, whose debut at the 2022 Kuala Lumpur Sukma saw him win bronze in the team event.
Earlier, Haikal won gold in the 10m air rifle event with 237.2 points.
Compatriot Amar Syawal Abdul Mutalib scored 236.8 points to take silver, while Perak's Nazirul Iqbal Roszaini earned bronze with 216.5 points.
In the team event, Haikal, Amar, and Azman Ridzuan won gold with a combined score of 1,833.8 points, narrowly beating Sarawak's Haziq Fadhil Khalid Fauzan, Adrielend Alexander Roland and Razin Nifail Rezza, who took silver with 1,827.7 points.
The bronze medal went to Pahang's Imran Syahmi Azidi, Hairiz Haiqal Ramlan, and Fikhri Hafiy Fazley with 1,826.6 points.