Ong (left) and Low (centre) competed in the round of 32 of the women's compound individual event in Nagoya. Photo: SpexSG/ Chanainut Thongratanachat
With three Asian Games under her belt, compound archer Madeleine Ong is learning that pressure does not have to be something to fear.
After a tough period mentally following her previous Asian Games in Hangzhou and enduring a difficult season this year, the archer found encouragement in how she handled the nerves in Nagoya, attaining one of her highest qualification scores this year, scoring 689 to rank 31st going into the elimination rounds.
“It was really tough on me back then, with my last Asian Games taking a mental toll on me eventually. It was an especially dark period for me, and I’m thankful to the people who supported me and never gave up on me.
“At these Games, I was really happy that I had done better in terms of my scores and how I was able to handle both the stress and the nerves. I feel that I have matured more in that sense, being able to sit with the nerves and pressure better,” the 32-year-old said.
Despite the gloomy conditions at the Okazaki Chuo Sogo Park Multipurpose Square on both qualification day and the first day of elimination rounds on Monday (Sep 28), Ong kept her spirits up as she faced Indonesia’s Nurisa Dian Ashrifah in the round of 32.
Nurisa was no stranger to Ong, having competed with her at last December’s SEA Games in the women’s singles final, women’s team final and mixed team bronze playoff match (when Ong was paired with Woon Teng Ng).
The pair met as recently as September’s Singapore Archery Open, where Nurisa beat Ong 147-140 in the semi-finals en route to gold.
But that did little to faze Ong, whose focus was trained solely on her own game.
“I did not let that affect me. Nurisa is a strong archer, and she did really well in my match against her, but elimination matches can be anyone’s game. It’s even more important for me to focus on myself and execute my form to the best of my ability in the moments that count.”
World No.85 Ong eventually lost to the 80th-ranked Nurisa 149-142, exiting at the same stage as the 2023 edition, where she was beaten by fellow Indonesian Ratih Zilizati Fadhly.
Despite the result, Ong took pride in the way she competed, staying true to her process until the end.
“I always tell myself to never give up, to be brave, and to shoot strong. Regardless of the outcome, it was more important to give your best and leave everything you have on the line. Eventually, the results would follow.
With her Games campaign concluded, she will head to Hangzhou for the last stage of the Asia Cup, her final outdoor event of the year.
Meanwhile, teammate and debutant Ellie Low was pleasantly surprised by her showing in Nagoya.
“I think that my performance at this Asian Games is better than I anticipated. I was very happy with my qualification, and even though I lost my individual knockout, I am happy with how I managed my own emotions until the very end of the match,” said Low, who scored 690 to finish 29th in qualification.
Up against 2025 world championship team bronze medallist Viktoriya Lyan of Kazakhstan in the round of 32, Low invariably felt some nerves creeping in.
“I was definitely feeling nervous as I knew my opponent, but when I started my match, all I was focusing on was what I needed to do and take it arrow by arrow.”
“I am very proud that all the training that I did to prepare for the Games worked some way or other. I know where my weaknesses are when I am shooting, and throughout this year I was working on how to manage my emotions better so that I would not break down as fast when I am competing,” the SEA Games silver medallist added.
For Low, her debut Games experience not only allowed her to make friends with athletes from other countries and train alongside her veteran teammate but also helped her to learn more about herself.
Describing it as a “once-in-a-lifetime” experience, Low said: “I still have so much more to give to the sport. I am definitely not done, and I am excited to continue working and improving myself.”
The Singapore Institute of Technology first-year student will return to competition in December’s ASEAN University Games.
The 20th Asian Games are held in Japan from 19 September to 4 October 2026. For the latest Team Singapore coverage and news, follow Team Singapore on their social media channels (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok) or visit the official Team Singapore website.