Hangzhou 2022: International exposure the next target for Team Singapore’s archers

By Jeremiah Ong

Team Singapore’s archers wrapped up their elimination round matches in the compound category at the Fuyang Yinhu Sports Centre on Monday (Oct 2) and left the field with lessons and a renewed belief.

Off the back of a fourth-placed finish in the mixed team event at the last Asiad, the pair of SEA Games medallist Contessa Loh and debutant Woon Teng Ng were unable to replicate a run to the semifinals as they fell to causeway rivals Malaysia 151-158 in the round of 16.

In 2018, Loh paired up with SEA Games silver medallist Alan Lee.

Despite the loss, it was all smiles for the team.

Speaking on his debut, Woon said: “So far it has been good. I shot my personal best during the qualification and also my personal best for the (individual) knockouts. So I think I'm pretty satisfied about it, but I think I still can do better.”

Woon put on a good showing for his Asiad debut, shooting a 686 in qualifying. (Photo: SportSG/ Weixiang Lim)

Loh added: “I would say I'm definitely in a better state of mind, better place in terms of scores and all that, especially for qualifications. (Mentality) wise, (the) ability to read the wind, technique and all this, overall, I would say I'm in a much better place now.”

In the men’s team event, the trio of Lee, Woon and Goh Jun Hui were knocked out by India at the same stage, succumbing to a 219-235 loss.

Coming out of retirement to return to the Asian Games, Lee was reflective about the team’s performance.

“I feel that, as a Singapore team, we do not have enough experience in shooting in gusty conditions. And therefore we found it took us a bit too long to be able to read the wind and to actually get scoring points.”

Lee added: “The level of competition has actually stepped up. The technology has improved in terms of equipment and training. The methodology of training has actually improved a lot. As you can see from the current results compared to the previous results (in 2018), there's actually been a jump in the score.”

Lee came out of retirement to be a part of the Asiad team. (Photo: SportSG/ Weixiang Lim)

After the lunch break, Lee shook off the earlier disappointment in the team event and capitalised on his opponent’s errors in the first and fifth sets to secure a round of 64 win against Saudi opponent Abdulaziz Mohammed A Alrodhan, beating him 142-138. 

But he was eliminated in the next round after a 137-149 loss to Kazakh Andrey Tyutyun, who executed a near-perfect game.

The loss will not stop the experienced Lee, though.

Keen to take a guiding role in the team’s future forays, Lee hoped that access to better equipment and a wider range of training grounds would help the team match its regional opponents.

“We need to keep up with the current market, whatever technology they have at hand.

“We should be focusing on using this equipment to the best of its abilities and maxing it out so that we wouldn't be at the losing end. What we do lack is the training grounds, the conditions that are overseas, but we will be able to make up with more overseas training and more exposure to different training areas,” he added.

His sentiments were echoed by Asia Cup champion Loh, who also fell to another Kazakh, familiar foe Adel Zhexenbinova, in the individual event.

The pair met on previous occasions on the Asia Cup circuit and have known each other for five years.

Loh was matched up with a familiar foe, Zhexenbinova, in the 1/8 round, where she lost by a two-point margin. (Photo: SportSG/ Weixiang Lim)

After a narrow 143-145 loss in the round of 16, Loh praised her opponent’s performance and the standard of competitors in the field.

“First, I got to hand it to Adel, I've known her for a few years already. She shot really great and I know she's really stepped up her game. So for me to be able to even fight side-by-side like that I'm very happy about it.”

“Honestly I'm very, very happy because the level has definitely stepped up compared to five years ago. Definitely, the scores are much tighter now,” Loh added.

Also speaking on the increasing quality of archers in the region, Loh pointed towards international tournament exposure and taking risks as a way for the team to find a new level.

“I think for us, it's a lot about exposure. Because for Singapore, what we lack I feel like it's more on the environmental factors in terms of strong wind, different weather conditions, the hot and cold temperatures. Our (climate) is quite, you know, the same throughout. So I feel for us, I think more exposure out there, throwing ourselves out there, being braver to take risks and all that I think would be good,” she said.

In the day’s other results, Woon endured a slim 145-146 loss to Mazuki Mohd Juwaidi, after shooting a 9 on his final shot to go out in the round of 32. SEA Games bronze medallist Madeleine Ong was also knocked out at the same stage of the women’s individual compound by Indonesia’s Ratih Zilizati Fadhly after a 137-147 loss.

Ong competed in the women’s individual compound but fell at the 1/16 stage. (Photo: SportSG/ Weixiang Lim)

The 19th Asian Games are held in Hangzhou, China from 23 September to 8 October 2023. 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.