Tuesday May 14, 2013
Alia eager to test her skills against world’s best in Munich
By ASHREENA PILLAI
PETALING JAYA: Which one matters the most – the journey or the end result?
In Alia Sazana Azahari’s case, it’s definitely the latter as she prepares to compete in her first International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cup in Munich, Germany, next week.
It all might have just been a dream as the Terengganu-born shooter quit the sport at age 17 in 2009, when her family moved to Australia.
However, a casual visit to her home country a year later turned things dramatically around as she was drafted into Terengganu’s 2010 Sukma team. She justified her inclusion by winning the gold medal in her pet event – the 25m sport pistol.
“In Australia, I wasn’t able to shoot because I was not a citizen there. Just not being able to do something you’re passionate about is really hard. I missed it so much,” said Alia,
“Then I came back and was asked to join the team ... that very much re-ignited my career.”
The 21-year-old acknowledged that it was not easy rebuilding her career in such a short time. However, it has made all the difference now that she is part of the national elite team.
So, are the nerves creeping in now that she’ll be competing in her first World Cup?
Alia, who will be competing in the 10m air pistol and 25m sport pistol events, claimed that it was “too early to tell”.
“I’m going into it with no expectations. Winning is secondary,” said Alia, who won silver in the 25m sport pistol event at this year’s Ally T.H. Ong Trophy.
“It’s all about the experience of competing in a World Cup – my first – and to test my skills against some of the best pistol shooters in the world. That’s what has really got me buzzing.”
The team leave for Munich tomorrow.
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