HANGZHOU: Seven Malaysian archers advanced past the Asian Games first qualifying round at the Fuyang Yinhu Sports Centre today.
In the morning preliminary session, Zarif Syahir Zolkepeli and Khairul Anuar progressed to the 1/32 elimination round for tomorrow's men's individual recurve.
Zarif scored 642 points to be ranked 41st out of 84 archers while Khairul Anuar scored 641 and was one rung behind Zarif.
Two other Malaysian recurve archers, Syafiq Busthamin and Danish Amsyar Norazlan, faltered with 639 and 632 as they finished 44th and 55th respectively.
Women's compound archer, Fatin Nurfatehah Mat Salleh entered the 1/16 elimination round after occupying the 27th spot out of 51 participants. She scored 327 and 347 for a total of 674.
In the afternoon session, Juwaidi Mazuki and Alang Ariff Aqil Ghazali advanced to the 1/32 round in the men's individual compound after finishing in the top-15 group.
Juwaidi was ninth with 702 points while Alang Ariff was 12th out of 64 archers on 699 points.
For the women's individual recurve event, Olympian Syaqiera Mashayikh had no problem negotiating the qualifying round with 639 points, placing her in 15th position.
She was also accompanied by Ku Nurin Afiqah Ku Ruzaini, who scored 626 for 29th position, in advancing to the 1/32 round.
Fatin, the 2015 Asian Championship bronze medallist (women's team event), said she needed to find her rhythm before starting to feel comfortable in aiming during the second set.
"The first set was a bit disappointing because I was still finding my rhythm. Going into the second set, I tried to shoot the arrows as usual, and I performed better.
"I hope I can shoot confidently like in the second set for the individual and mixed team on Monday," said the 32-year-old.