Gunning for more: Gan Chen Jie in action in the rifle three positions event. — KAMARUL ARIFFIN/The Star
NEGRI Sembilan’s Gan Chen Jie was a shooter loaded with inspiration coming into the Malaysia Games (Sukma).
The 20-year-old was fired up to make her mark after seeing the exploits of China’s two teenagers Sheng Lihao and Huang Yuting at the Paris Olympics where they won the 10m air rifle mixed team gold in Paris.
And she lived up to her own expectations when she stayed cool like the Chinese teens to win the girls’ 50m rifle three positions gold medal.
“The two Chinese shooters are only teenagers but the way they carried themselves amidst the huge pressure was admirable. I learnt a lot from them,” said Chen Jie, a former Bukit Jalil Sports School student.
“They are my inspiration behind this win. In the last Sukma, I had to settle for the bronze medal but I’m glad to win the gold this time, after working on my technique diligently for the last two years.’’
Chen Jie’s mark of 574 points also eclipsed the Games record of 569 set by Perak’s Nurul Syafani Abdul Razak at the 2022 Sukma.
Penang’s Nur Sumayyah Dzulkifli scored 563 to take silver, while Terengganu’s Nur Hanisah Adibah Zakaria settled for bronze with 561.
The national record for the 50m rifle three positions event is still held by veteran Nur Suryani Taibi, who scored 589 points in 2005.
Chen Jie now hopes to reach Suryani’s level one day.
“I train with Suryani at the National Sports Council (NSC) in Bukit Jalil, and she gives me some very good pointers. She also advises me to always be humble and keep improving.’’
Chen Jie’s success further highlighted Negri’s dominance on day one of shooting as they gunned down four gold medals.
Meanwhile, Pahang’s Cheah Zhen Hong, who had only three weeks to train for the competition, topped the 25m standard pistol event. He scored 560 points to beat Terengganu’s Banin Al Ghazali Ahmad Badrul Hisyam, who took silver with 541. The bronze went to Pahang’s Mohd Yasin Riky Pakriudin on 538.
Zhen Hong said: “This is my first time competing in the standard pistol. I only trained for three weeks, so I’m thrilled to be holding the gold medal.’’
