Monday, April 30, 2012
Chong Wei denied
INDIA OPEN: Wan Ho grabs his first super series crown
SOUTH Korean Shon Wan Ho denied Lee Chong Wei a triumphant return from injury by snatching the India Open crown from the World No 1 in New Delhi yesterday.Chong Wei, making a comeback after a six-week layoff due to shoulder injury, made too many uncharacteristic errors and handed Wan Ho a 21-18, 14-21, 21-19 victory in 66 minutes.
Chong Wei, the defending champion, started well and led 18-16 in the first game only to allow Wan Ho to score five points on the trot and concede the first game.
Chong Wei led all the way in the second game by playing more aggressively to win 21-14 and also staged a fightback from 13-18 to take a 19-18 lead.
However, the effort was still not enough as Wan Ho got his second wind and took the next three points and his first super series crown.
National coach Tey Seu Bock, in a telephone interview from New Delhi, said Chong Wei's defeat was not due to the shoulder injury.
"Chong Wei made a lot of mistakes and he was unable to play his best today (yesterday). The defeat has got nothing to do with the shoulder injury.
"It was not his normal game. He also became cautious once his opponent started reading his game.
"However, there is nothing to worry about and he will compete in the Malaysia Open grand prix gold as planned. The target is to win the event in Johor Baru and make up for the disappointment today (yesterday).
"Wan Ho was all fired up and played extremely well. He executed his game plan to perfection."
Chong Wei will return to Kuala Lumpur today and begin his title defence in the Malaysia Open on Wednesday.
There were also words of consolation from National Sports Institute (NSI) chief executive officer Datuk Dr Ramlan Abdul Aziz who had been monitoring Chong Wei's recovery from the right shoulder injury suffered in the All England last month.
"It's never good to lose but perversely, it's alright that Chong Wei has yet to play at his very best at this juncture. Obviously short of match fitness, and I can't be too disappointed seeing him negotiate his way to a Super Series final in the first tournament after returning from injury," stated Dr Ramlan on Oneisn M'sia Facebook page.
"Well done... now to go from strength to strength towards that date in London (Olympics) come August."
The defeat will not affect Chong Wei's World No 1 position and he will also become the top seed in the Olympics as Thursday's world rankings issued by Badminton World Federation not only determine the qualifiers for London but the seedings as well.
Chong Wei will now try to maintain his unbeaten run in the Malaysia Open grand prix gold in Johor Baru after having won the first three editions of the tournament.
RESULTS -- (All Finals) Men's Singles: Shon Wan Ho (Kor) bt Lee Chong Wei (Mas) 21-18, 14-21, 21-19.
Doubles: Issara Bodin-Maneepong Jongjit (Tha) bt Ko Sung Hyun-Yoo Yeon Seong (Kor) 21-17 14-21 21-14.
Women's Singles: Li Xuerui (Chn) bt Juliane Schenk (Ger) 14-21, 21-17, 21-8.
Doubles: Jung Kyung Eun-Kim Ha Na (Kor) bt Bao Yixin-Zhong Qianxin (Chn) 21-17, 21-18.
Mixed Doubles: Ahmad Tantowi-Liliyana Natsir (Ina) bt Sudket Prapakamol-Saralee Thungthongkam (Tha) 21-17, 21-18.
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Pandelela-Mun Yee can win an Olympic medal
PETALING JAYA: It was a much improved showing from Pandelela Rinong and Leong Mun Yee as they won four medals — a silver and three bronzes — in the just concluded FINA Diving World Series but much work remains to be done to turn them into medal contenders at the London Olympics.
Malaysian divers finished in the top three spot in the overall standings at the end of the four-leg series for the first time in three seasons as they cemented their position as the second best Asian team after China.
Pandelela grabbed the runner-up spot in the overall standings for 10m platform individual behind Olympic and world champion Chen Ruolin.

It is an achievement for Malaysian diving as participation in the series is only for the top eight in the world but head coach Yang Zhuliang cautioned against raising expectations too much for the London Olympics in August.
“Pandelela-Mun Yee have a chance to fight for a medal although this is the first time they will be competing together at the Olympics.
“China are very strong at the moment and I think no team can beat them for the gold but the silver and bronze medals can be won by any country in form on the day.
“Our pair are as good as the divers from Australia, Germany, Britain, Ukraine, Mexico and Canada.
“My hope is for them to make history with our first Olympic diving medal. But they must keep their focus and minimise their mistakes,” said Zhuliang, who stressed the importance of the upcoming training stint in China just before they head to London.
Pandelela is encouraged by her performances and is not ruling out a chance for a medal in the individual discipline although China have the likes of Ruolin and Hu Yadan.
Yadan, at 16, will be making her Olympic debut in London after winning silver at the World Championships in Shanghai last year.
Pandelela, who finished fifth in Shanghai, said there is still hope for the others to catch up.
“Yadan has her own strengths but she can also be inconsistent at times.
“Ruolin is not as strong as she was before. Her entries are not as clean but somehow she still manages to come up with good points to win.
“There’s still time for me to improve before the Games and I will go to China and train as hard as I can,” said Pandelela, who will leave for Montreal this weekend for the Canadian Open together with the Olympic-bound diving team.
The Canadian Open, followed by the US Open in Fort Lauderdale later next month, are part of the World Grand Prix Circuit and the last two competitions before the Olympic-bound team head to China.
ASUM jamin pulihkan kecederaan Pandelela
Setiausaha Kehormat, Edwin Chong berkata, Asum akan menjalankan pemeriksaan terperinci terhadap kesakitan belakang Pandelela menjelang temasya berprestij, Olimpik London, Julai ini.
“Selepas saingan siri kedua di Beijing, Pandelela mula sakit belakang dan kami menyediakan khidmat tukang urut buatnya sepanjang baki dua saingan lagi, di Moscow dan Tijuana.
“Selepas Siri Dunia kelmarin, kami akan memeriksa tahap kesihatan Pandelela dengan lebih terperinci sejurus pulang ke tanah air bagi memastikan dia cergas sepenuhnya untuk berdepan saingan utama di London.
“Tapi ia tidak bermakna kami memandang remeh penerjun lain. Kami akan memastikan setiap penerjun bebas daripada kecederaan dan sedia menyahut cabaran negara menyumbang pingat pertama di Olimpik,” katanya.
Mengulas pencapaian terbaik Pandelela dan Mun Yee di empat saingan Siri Dunia, bermula di Dubai pada 16 hingga 17 Mac lalu, diikuti Beijing (23-24 Mac), Moscow (13-14 April) sebelum berakhir di Tijuana, Mexico, (20-21 April), Edwin berkata, kedua-dua permata Asum itu mempamerkan prestasi konsisten.
Meskipun Pandelela menduduki tangga kelima acara 10 meter platform individu dan 10m platform seirama dengan Mun Yee, kedua-duanya berjaya menduduki kelompok tiga terbaik dunia keseluruhan.
Untuk acara individu, Pandelela menduduki tangga kedua keseluruhan di belakang juara dari China, Chen Roulin dan rakan seangkatannya Hu Yadan berada di tangga ketiga. Manakala, Pandelela-Mun Yee menduduki tangga ketiga keseluruhan di belakang, Roulin-Wang Hao di tempat pertama dan Meaghan Benfeito-Roseline Filion dari Kanada, kedua.
Monday, April 23, 2012
Pandelela and Mun Yee finish third overall in platform synchro
Pandelela-Mun Yee finished fifth in the 10m platform synchro on Saturday to seal a top three overall for the first time in three seasons.
Pandelela-Mun Yee first made the cut for the prestigious series, an invitational event for the top eight ranked pairs in the world, in 2010 but never finished higher than fourth.
Pandelela-Mun Yee collected a total of 78 points to finish behind reigning world champions Chen Ruolin-Wang Hao of China (108) and Canada’s Meaghan Benfeito-Roseline Filion (84).

The top three winners earned US$10,000, US$8,000 and US$6,000 respectively.
The encouraging performance from the Malaysian duo through the season put them on the right course to head to the London Olympics in August with optimism.
Pandelela-Mun Yee qualified for the synchro in the Olympics for the first time and will be out to make a strong push to make history by bagging the country’s first medal in diving.
On Saturday, Pandelela and Mun Yee picked up 314.88 points.
Ruolin-Wang Hao took the gold with a 350.88 total. Mexico’s Paola Espinosa-Alejandra Orozco garnered 338.37 points for the silver while Tonia Couch-Sarah Barrow of Britain grabbed the bronze with a 317.94 total.
Benfeito-Filion picked up 317.88 points to be placed fourth.
“Our performance was not so good compared to the previous rounds. My back is still giving me a bit of problem. I had no rest after travelling non-stop and it was hard for me to focus,’ said Pandelela, who had to return home straight from Moscow to receive her National Sportswoman Award on Tuesday before enduring another long journey to Mexico the next day for the final round of the series.
“But we have a chance to fight for an Olympic medal if we can improve our optional dives in the coming months.
“The Chinese are a class above the rest. The standard of the rest of the divers is quite close,” said Pandelela, who made history by clinching the overall title for the first time in the 10m platform individual on Friday.
Pandelela-Mun Yee’s next assignment will be the US Open in Fort Lauderdale followed by the Canadian Open in Montreal. The rest of the Malaysian Olympic-bound team will also be competing in both meets.
The US and Canadian Opens next month are part of the World Grand Prix Circuit and will be the last two competitions before the divers set up their training base in China for their last leg of preparation for the Olympics.
Saturday, April 21, 2012
I’m not a big-headed star, says world No. 1
Yesterday, the 29-year-old, the most celebrated sportsman and one of the highest money earner in Malaysian sports, hit back at critics who made negative assumption on him.
Beijing Olympic Games silver medallist Chong Wei, who is hoping to go one step better in the coming London Games, said his decision to skip the National Sports Council (NSC) award ceremony on Tuesday, was perceived wrongly by critics.
Chong Wei was the recipient of the Sportsman of the Year award for the third time but he texted a message to NSC director general Datuk Zolkples Embong that he could not make the ceremony as he was down with fever.
His decision drew flak especially when Sportswoman of the Year Pandelela Rinong was willing to take time off from her hectic diving schedule to attend the function graced by the Agong (Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah). She was specially flown home from Moscow after her World Diving series for the ceremony and she took off again to Mexico a day later for the final leg of the series.
When asked how it had affected him as some people had branded him as big headed, Chong Wei said: “I have not grown into a big headed person. I am still sincere in my pursuit of success.”
“Well, I cannot change what people think of me. I cannot go on hitting at them so that they will change their perception. It is their right to have an opinion. I know what I have gone through as a player.
“I received RM20,000 for the award. Yes, I have received more but money is not everything to me. I have learnt to take all kind of criticism – when I was World No. 1 and when I was not a World No. 1 player. There is always pressure and I am learning to deal with it.”
Chong Wei, who is ready to put the award ceremony incident behind him, is looking forward to his immediate assignment – the India Open in New Delhi on Wednesday.
“I will be able to maintain my top seeding at the Olympic Games if I reach at least the quarter-finals. I am treating this event as a warm-up ahead of the Thomas Cup Finals and the Olympic Games,” he said.
“It is also the first tournament since my shoulder injury (at the All-England in Birmingham last month). The most important thing is not to get injured again,” added the defending champion.
Chong Wei will leave for New Delhi on Monday.
Misi buru emas Olimpik tak terjejas
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AZIZULHASNI jadi pilihan PKBM.
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Pada temasya di London itu, skuad trek negara layak beraksi dalam tiga acara iaitu keirin dan pecut (lelaki) serta keirin wanita, namun terpaksa menurunkan seorang sahaja pelumba dalam setiap acara menerusi kuota yang diberikan oleh Kesatuan Berbasikal Antarabangsa.
Ketika acara keirin wanita sudah pasti menjadi milik ratu pecut negara, Fatehah Mustapa, kem negara bagaimanapun 'panas' seketika apabila timbul persoalan tentang siapakah pelumba yang bakal mengisi satu slot acara keirin dan pecut lelaki.
Namun, semua persoalan tersebut akhirnya terjawab apabila Naim mengesahkan bahawa keutamaan telah di berikan kepada Azizulhasni dalam dua acara berkenaan, manakala Josiah pula menggalas peranan sebagai pelumba simpanan dan sparring partner (rakan sepelatih).
"Kita akan membawa ketiga-tiga pelumba itu (Azizulhasni, Josiah dan Fatehah) ke London nanti," jelas Naim selepas Majlis Penajaan Jersi Putih Jelajah Malaysia (JM) 2012 oleh 100Plus di Kuala Lumpur semalam.
"Tetapi berdasarkan prestasi semasa dan penilaian pada Kejohanan Trek Dunia 2012 di Melbourne baru-baru ini, kami memutuskan untuk meletakkan Azizulhasni sebagai pelumba utama dan Josiah pula sebagai simpanan dan sparring partner.
"Semua ini bagaimanapun masih bergantung kepada penilaian akhir yang akan dibuat beberapa hari sebelum acara di London bermula. Namun, yang pastinya Josiah akan tetap kami bawa ke London," tambahnya lagi.
Azizulhasni, 24, merupakan pemenang pingat perak acara pecut Kejohanan Dunia 2009 dan pernah memegang status pelumba keirin No. 1 dunia pada 2010 sebelum terpaksa berehat panjang setelah cedera di betis ekoran tertusuk serpihan trek pada Piala Dunia Klasik, Manchester awal tahun lalu.
Sementara itu, prestasi Josiah, 32, pula dilihat semakin meningkat setelah memenangi pingat emas keirin pada Sukan Komanwel 2010 dan terbaharu, Kejohanan Berbasikal Asia (ACC) 2012 di Kuala Lumpur, Februari lepas.
Begitupun, pada Kejohanan Dunia di Melbourne awal bulan ini, Azizulhasni dilihat lebih menyerlah dengan layak ke separuh akhir keirin dan menduduki tempat ke-27 acara pecut. Ini berbanding Josiah yang terkandas pada pusingan awal.
"Semua penilaian ini dibuat berdasarkan prestasi semasa dan Josiah juga telah mengetahuinya, malah memberitahu yang dia akan memberi sokongan sepenuhnya kepada Azizul- hasni dalam misi kita memenangi emas pertama di Olimpik.
"Jadi, tidak timbul isu tentang persiapan kita terjejas kerana mereka saling tidak memberi sokongan antara satu sama lain seperti yang digembar-gemburkan selama ini.
"Saya ingin tekankan bahawa biarpun sebagai pelumba simpanan, khidmat Josiah masih tetap penting dalam kem negara," jelas Naim lagi.
Sementara itu, mengenai persiapan negara sebelum ke Olimpik, beliau menambah: "Skuad negara akan menjalani latihan pusat selama tiga minggu di Ghemp, Belgium sebelum ke London. Di sana mereka mempunyai kelengkapan sukan yang cukup lengkap untuk berlatih.
"Sepanjang di sana juga kita akan menyertai dua kejohanan pemanas badan iaitu Cottbun, Belgium (Jun) dan Cologne, Jerman pada Julai."
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Shabery Believes Chong Wei Can Beat Lin Dan, Chen Long To Win Gold In London
Shabery said the country's main hopes of winning a gold medal in the Olympics would hinge on Chong Wei and diver Pandelela Rinong.
He said winning the gold was not an impossible target.
"I feel it is a reasonable target and not impossible (to win a gold) because Chong Wei is still the world number one and capable of beating Lin Dan or Chen Long. Chong Wei can defeat both of them to win the gold.
"Pandelela has also shown tremendous improvements in her performance and achievements. She has won the silver medal in a number of world class championships and it is not impossible to change the colour of the medal from silver to gold," he said.
-- BERNAMA
National Athletes Intensify Preparations As London Olympics Starts 100 Days Countdown
KUALA LUMPUR, April 18 (Bernama) -- With 100 days to go for the 2012
London Olympic Games, national athletes who qualified for the Games have
intensified preparations to do their very best at the biggest sporting
event in the world.
Diver Bryan Nickson Lomas who had twice seen action in the Olympics said the London Games would be meaningful to him and his team-mates.
"Previously, the participation in the Olympic Games was only for exposure and experience but this time, it's more challenging because the team is fighting for medals," he told reporters when met at the launch to the 100 days countdown to the 2012 London Olympics at the National Sports Council here Wednesday.
-- BERNAMA
Diver Bryan Nickson Lomas who had twice seen action in the Olympics said the London Games would be meaningful to him and his team-mates.
"Previously, the participation in the Olympic Games was only for exposure and experience but this time, it's more challenging because the team is fighting for medals," he told reporters when met at the launch to the 100 days countdown to the 2012 London Olympics at the National Sports Council here Wednesday.
-- BERNAMA
Great chance for Pandelela to top Diving World Series
Reigning Olympic champion Chen Ruolin and her World Championships silver medallist team-mate Hu Yadan are conspicuously missing from the list of entries for the women’s 10m platform individual.
This paves the way for Pandelela to become the overall winner of the prestigious series, which is exclusive to the top eight divers in the world, for the first time.
Pandelela will bag the overall title for the 10m platform individual if she can finish second this weekend. Ruolin leads the standings after three rounds with 54 points while Pandelela is second on 40, two more than Yadan.
But she faces stiff competition from Mexico’s Paola Espinosa, the 2009 world champion, and Iulia Prokopchuk, the Ukrainian who finished with silver ahead of Yadan in Moscow last weekend.
Espinosa, who is in fifth place with 26 points, can capture the overall title if she wins the gold and will be banking on home ground advantage while the Canadian duo of Meaghan Benfeito and Roseline Filion will also be making a strong push.
The top three podium spots are worth 18, 16 and 14 points respectively.
Malaysia are second in the 10m platform synchro, but Pandelela-Leong Mun Yee can only hope to finish second overall at best, as Ruolin is competing with regular partner Wang Hao.
After three rounds, China lead comfortably with 81 points ahead of Canada (66) and Malaysia (63).
Fatigue will be a big factor in Pandelela’s chase for glory in the Mexican city.
Pandelela, who only left last night on the 21-hour journey to join Mun Yee for the series finale, said the back sprain suffered before the Beijing round is still troubling her.
“It affected me a bit in Moscow but the National Sports Institute masseur is accompanying me and I hope it will help.
“It’s a very long journey and I will only have half a day to practise as competition starts on Friday. The 10m platform individual is on the first day and I don’t have the advantage of proper rest unlike the others, who left for Tijuana a few days earlier.
“It will be tiring but I want to do well to maintain my rankings for next year,” said Pandelela, who has yet to miss out on the podium this year.
Pandelela bagged bronze in the 10m platform individual and partnered Mun Yee to silver in the synchro in the opening leg in Dubai.
She claimed another bronze in the following round in Beijing.
She missed out with fourth place in the individual event in Moscow last weekend but rebounded to clinch the 10m platform synchro bronze with Mun Yee the next day.
DIVING: On the brink of history
SO CLOSE: Pandelela must finish second in Mexico to be Malaysia's first ever world series champion

Pandelela Rinong is currently placed second in the 10-metre platform individual overall standings.
The diver will get a much needed boost in Mexico, ahead of the London Olympics as China's world champion Chen Ruolin and Hu Yadan have withdrawn from the women's 10-metre platform individual.
If Pandelela performs well, she stands to become the first Malaysian to be crowned overall champion of the series, an event which features the top eight ranked divers in the world.
The 19-year-old, only needs to achieve second spot in Mexico to clinch the overall title.
Unfortunately Pandelela, the newly crowned National Sportswoman of 2011, is not in peak condition as her back injury has flared up again.
"I sprained by back before the Beijing leg (last month) and it is still troubling me," said Pandelela on the sidelines of Tuesday award's ceremony.
"A National Sports Institute (NSI) masseuse has been following me lately to help me recover."
She added: "I will leave for Mexico tomorrow. It is a very long journey (21 hours) and I will only have half a day's practice before the tournament.
"The individual event is on the first day and it is going to be tough without proper rest. It will be tiring but I want to do well to maintain my rankings for next year."
Ruolin leads the overall standings after three legs on 54 points followed by Pandelela on 40, two more than Yadan.
In the absence of China's divers, Pandelela's rivals would be Mexico's former world champion Paola Espinosa, and Ukraine's Iulia Prokopchuk, a silver medallist at last weekend's third leg in Moscow.
Paola, who is fifth on 26 points, can win the overall title if she wins gold in Mexico while Canada's Meaghan Benfeito and Roseline Filion will also be making a strong push for the podium.
The top three podium spots are worth 18, 16 and 14 points respectively.
Pandelela and Leong Mun Yee are third overall in platform synchro but are unlikely to leapfrog China for first place as Ruolin is competing with regular partner Wang Hao in Mexico.
China lead on 81 points in synchro ahead of Canada (66 points) and Malaysia (63 points).
Pandelela won bronze in the platform individual and partnered Mun Yee to silver in synchro in the opening leg in Dubai.
She then claimed another bronze in the next leg in Beijing but missed out with a fourth place in last weekend's stop in Moscow but clinched bronze with Mun Yee in synchro.
National Athletes Intensify Preparations As London Olympics Starts 100 Days Countdown
KUALA LUMPUR, April 18 (Bernama) -- With 100 days to go for the 2012 London Olympic Games, national athletes who qualified for the Games have intensified preparations to do their very best at the biggest sporting event in the world.
Diver Bryan Nickson Lomas who had twice seen action in the Olympics said the London Games would be meaningful to him and his team-mates.
"Previously, the participation in the Olympic Games was only for exposure and experience but this time, it's more challenging because the team is fighting for medals," he told reporters when met at the launch to the 100 days countdown to the 2012 London Olympics at the National Sports Council here Wednesday.
-- BERNAMA
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Final countdown starts to London Games
LONDON (Reuters) - Kew Gardens on an English spring morning will host
the first in a series of celebrations on Wednesday to commemorate the
100 days' countdown to the London Olympics.
An oak tree will be planted to mark Britain's role in the birth of the modern Olympic movement and giant Olympic rings made up of 25,000 flowers will be on display.
A city steeped in theatre and pageantry will then be entertained in the early afternoon by members of West End theatre shows assisted by British athletes taking part in a "West End Warm-Up" performance in Trafalgar Square.
On the following day the 70-day Olympic torch relay begins at Land's End.
Any initial trepidation about Britain's ability to stage a major global event has long vanished and last month the London organising committee received a glowing endorsement from International Olympic Committee commission chairman Denis Oswald who proclaimed: "London is ready to welcome the world."
"We can feel that London is feeling the fever of the Games," Oswald said. "We are in no doubt that this summer will be a summer like no other in Britain."
Ensuring a unforgettable Olympics for London and the thousands of athletes and visitors who will pour into Britain for the Games opening on July 27 is the ultimate responsibility of organising committee chairman Sebastian Coe.
A reminder of the disturbing ease with which big sporting events can be disrupted came this month when an intruder in the Thames disrupted the annual university boat race between Oxford and Cambridge.
The torch relay, as the pro-Tibet protesters demonstrated during the 2008 Beijing Olympics relay, is similarly vulnerable as are the street races such as the marathons and walks.
NEED FOR BALANCE
In an interview with Reuters to mark the 100 days' landmark, Coe said there was a need to get a balance between the safety of the competitors while ensuring spectators were not subjected to oppressive security measures.
"Competitors are doing something at the highest level, they have devoted over half their young lives to be there," he said.
"It is our responsibility to make sure they have a secure environment in which to compete but you do not want people coming to London feeling they have come to a siege town.
"We will get that balance right, we have to get that balance right. I am not being remotely cavalier or particularly sanguine about the nature of what we have to do but we will get this right."
Coe was also upbeat about London's problematic transport system.
"At Games time things will be different," he said. "This is the first time a Games will have been on these shores for 64 years and there's nobody in this room, there's probably nobody sitting out there now that is going to is going to witness them again in their lifetime so it is a celebration.
"The city will look different, it will be different, getting about it will be different."
Asked about criticisms of the high cost of a sports event in grim economic times, Coe said there would be some validity to the argument if the Olympics was just a sporting festival.
"But of course it isn't," he said. "We have regenerated in the process a large part of east London, we've transformed the lives of many young people living in east London.
"More broadly we have an opportunity to showcase this country in front of four billion people not just in sport but in our cultural communities. We have the ability to host 200 countries.
"There are millions of people the length and breadth of the country who are now helping us to deliver these Games. We have a torch relay that's going to go within 10 miles (16 kms) of 95 percent of the population.
"So this goes way, way beyond just 16 days of sport."
(Editing by Dave Thompson)
An oak tree will be planted to mark Britain's role in the birth of the modern Olympic movement and giant Olympic rings made up of 25,000 flowers will be on display.
A city steeped in theatre and pageantry will then be entertained in the early afternoon by members of West End theatre shows assisted by British athletes taking part in a "West End Warm-Up" performance in Trafalgar Square.
On the following day the 70-day Olympic torch relay begins at Land's End.
Any initial trepidation about Britain's ability to stage a major global event has long vanished and last month the London organising committee received a glowing endorsement from International Olympic Committee commission chairman Denis Oswald who proclaimed: "London is ready to welcome the world."
"We can feel that London is feeling the fever of the Games," Oswald said. "We are in no doubt that this summer will be a summer like no other in Britain."
Ensuring a unforgettable Olympics for London and the thousands of athletes and visitors who will pour into Britain for the Games opening on July 27 is the ultimate responsibility of organising committee chairman Sebastian Coe.
A reminder of the disturbing ease with which big sporting events can be disrupted came this month when an intruder in the Thames disrupted the annual university boat race between Oxford and Cambridge.
The torch relay, as the pro-Tibet protesters demonstrated during the 2008 Beijing Olympics relay, is similarly vulnerable as are the street races such as the marathons and walks.
NEED FOR BALANCE
In an interview with Reuters to mark the 100 days' landmark, Coe said there was a need to get a balance between the safety of the competitors while ensuring spectators were not subjected to oppressive security measures.
"Competitors are doing something at the highest level, they have devoted over half their young lives to be there," he said.
"It is our responsibility to make sure they have a secure environment in which to compete but you do not want people coming to London feeling they have come to a siege town.
"We will get that balance right, we have to get that balance right. I am not being remotely cavalier or particularly sanguine about the nature of what we have to do but we will get this right."
Coe was also upbeat about London's problematic transport system.
"At Games time things will be different," he said. "This is the first time a Games will have been on these shores for 64 years and there's nobody in this room, there's probably nobody sitting out there now that is going to is going to witness them again in their lifetime so it is a celebration.
"The city will look different, it will be different, getting about it will be different."
Asked about criticisms of the high cost of a sports event in grim economic times, Coe said there would be some validity to the argument if the Olympics was just a sporting festival.
"But of course it isn't," he said. "We have regenerated in the process a large part of east London, we've transformed the lives of many young people living in east London.
"More broadly we have an opportunity to showcase this country in front of four billion people not just in sport but in our cultural communities. We have the ability to host 200 countries.
"There are millions of people the length and breadth of the country who are now helping us to deliver these Games. We have a torch relay that's going to go within 10 miles (16 kms) of 95 percent of the population.
"So this goes way, way beyond just 16 days of sport."
(Editing by Dave Thompson)
SHOOTING: Pregnancy no problem
DETERMINED: Nur Suryani wants to compete in London despite baby on the way

Nur Suryani Taibi
NUR Suryani Mohd Taibi will need one person's blessing above everyone else before she competes in the women's 10-metre air rifle at the London Olympic Games.
The shooter will be eight months pregnant by then and despite the risk, Nur Suryani is determined to make her presence felt at her first Olympic appearance.
"I will talk to the baby before I compete. No kicking, stay calm for one hour and 15 minutes only, please," she told Reuters on Sunday.
But her Olympic ticket is not yet guaranteed as she not only needs a medical clearance but must also impress in competitions leading up to London or risk being replaced by either Nur Ayuni Farhana Abdul Halim or Muslifah Zulkifli.
Nur Suryani is due to give birth to her first child on Sept 2, less than a month after the Games end.
"When I go to London, it will be 33 weeks, when I come back, it will be 34 weeks.
"I will arrive in London on July 25 and will head home right after I'm done with my event. I won't be staying there very long. I don't think (she does not expect to attend the closing ceremony), we haven't planned anything," she said.
The 29-year-old capped a superb performance in the Asian Championships in Doha in January by finishing fifth in the 10m air rifle to earn an Olympic quota spot for Malaysia.
The mental stress and pressure of Olympic competition, however, could have an effect on her in the heat of battle.
"My family is thinking 'can you do that, can you do that'? I say 'no problem' because when you have a baby inside your stomach, everywhere you go, you have company. You don't feel lonely. When I'm pregnant I don't have problems, I enjoy it.
"My aim is to compete. Maybe, at the end of June or whatsoever. If I have some problems that would jeopardise the baby inside me, I will reconsider whether I am going or not.
"The doctors say I am very good and very fit and that it is fine for me to train up to eight months or nine months," she said.
Nur Suryani, will however, get a chance to prove her mettle at the London leg of the ISSF World Cup which starts tomorrow.
It is the first time London is hosting a World Cup round and the competition for pistol, rifle and shotgun disciplines at the Royal Artillery Barracks will double up as the Olympics test event.
Nur Suryani, along with Nur Ayuni and Muslifah, will compete in two events -- air rifle and three position disciplines -- in London.
Azizulhasni hampiri puncak prestasi
Situasi tersebut sekali gus memberi bayangan awal betapa pelumba yang mendapat gelaran The Pocketrocketman itu berpeluang meraih pingat emas pertama buat kontinjen Malaysia pada temasya di London nanti.
Pada Kejohanan Trek Dunia 2012 di Melbourne, awal bulan ini, Azizulhasni, 24, terkandas pada peringkat separuh akhir acara keirin dan menduduki tempat ke-27 bagi acara pecut.
Meskipun mengakui prestasinya hanya berada pada tahap 80 hingga 90 peratus pada kejohanan tersebut, Azizulhasni tetap optimis dia telah bersedia sepenuhnya menjelang temasya Olimpik di London.
"Sebenarnya tahap prestasi saya masih belum seratus peratus ketika beraksi pada Kejohanan Dunia baru-baru ini.
"Namun bagi saya, persembahan di Melbourne itu adalah yang terbaik pernah saya tunjukkan sejak kembali beraksi daripada rehat panjang ekoran tertusuk serpihan kayu trek ketika beraksi pada Siri Piala Dunia Trek Klasik di Manchester tahun lepas.
"Kini saya bertambah yakin untuk meningkatkan prestasi dan kayuhan saya sebelum Sukan Olimpik nanti.
"Jurang masa selama tiga bulan ini akan saya gunakan sebaik mungkin untuk memulakan latihan supaya saya akan mencapai kemuncak prestasi di London," ujar Azizulhasni ketika dihubungi Kosmo! semalam.
Pelumba kelahiran Dungun, Terengganu itu turut menjelaskan bahawa misinya di London masih lagi sama iaitu menghadiahkan kilauan emas pertama buat Malaysia meskipun banyak pihak kini mula mempersoalkan kemampuan sebenarnya.
Justeru, Azizulhasni menyifatkan kegagalannya pada Kejohanan Dunia 2012 baru-baru ini bukan gambaran awal tentang keazaman dan potensi sebenarnya dalam merealisasikan hajat tersebut.
"Saya pergi ke Olimpik bukan sekadar untuk makan angin tetapi untuk merealisasikan harapan rakyat Malaysia memenangi pingat emas di sana nanti.
"Pada Kejohanan Dunia di Melbourne, saya bukannya gagal menyerlah, sebaliknya saingan pada waktu itu sangat sukar dan bahaya kerana setiap negara menurunkan empat hingga lima pelumba bagi memenangi kuota ke Sukan Olimpik.
"Namun, pada temasya Olimpik di London nanti, setiap negara hanya mempunyai kuota seorang pelumba sahaja bagi setiap acara, jadi peluang saya lebih cerah kerana hanya terpaksa bersaing dengan 24 pelumba sahaja," jelasnya yang memenangi pingat perak acara pecut pada Kejohanan Dunia 2009.
Pada temasya Olimpik di London, Azizulhasni diletakkan selaku pelumba utama, manakala Josiah Ng tampil sebagai pelumba simpanan.
Selain Azizulhasni dan Josiah, Fatehah Mustapa pula bakal mencipta sejarah tersendiri apabila menjadi pelumba Malaysia pertama turun beraksi di pentas Olimpik dalam acara keirin wanita.
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Chu Sian fires his way to bronze medal at Shanghai World Cup
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s top archer Cheng Chu Sian will return home
triumphant from Shanghai today having bagged a bronze medal for the
first time in the individual recurve at the opening leg of the World
Cup, which ended on Sunday.
National coach Lee Jae-hyung was happy that Chu Sian and the other men archers had made an impact in a tournament that saw the biggest number of competitors – from 35 countries – for a timely boost ahead of the London Olympics in August.
Chu Sian’s third place finish showed that Malaysia are on the right track to win the country’s first archery medal at the Games. It was his best showing in the World Cup after reaching the last four in the same leg of the series in 2007.
The Jakarta SEA Games double gold medallist, Chu Sian defeated Frenchman Thomas Aubert 6-5 (26-27, 27-27, 24-28, 29-22, 28-26, 8-8) in the bronze medal playoff. In the tie breaker, Chu Sian was declared the winner when his final arrow was judged closer to the centre.
Earlier, he overcame Poland’s top archer Novak Piotr with a convincing 7-1 (28-25, 29-25, 29-29, 26-25) win in the quarter-finals. An archer gets one point for a draw and two for a win in a best of three games format.
Chu Sian lost to the eventual champion Brady Ellison of United States in the semi-finals with a score of 2-6 (28-29, 29-28, 27-29, 27-30) in closely-fought match.
The men’s team of Chu Sian, Khairul Anuar Mohd, Haziq Kamaruddin did not go far in the team recurve but still won praise from their coach. They lost 222-224 to Taiwan in the opening round.
Malaysia eventually ended up as the 10th best team while the United States dominated the event by winning four gold medals.
While the men did justice in their trip to Shanghai, the women’s team of Nurul Syafiqah Hashim, Ng Sui Kim, Shahira Abdul Halim and Siti Rashida Kamar Bashah could not raise their game.
The Olympic-bound Nurul was the top performer when she reached the third round of the individual recurve while the other three members crashed out in the opening round. Malaysia did not qualify for the women’s team elimination round.
“This is a relatively a new team and they couldn’t adjust quickly to the cold. The women will be in full training for the next two to three weeks and we will work on their game and confidence,” Jae-hyung said.
The national team’s next assignment is the second leg of the World Cup in Turkey from May 1-6, followed by the final Olympic qualifiers at the third leg of the World Cup in Ogden, US, from June 18-24.
“I intend to keep the archers on their toes and will only name the final list for the Olympics after the final leg of the World Cup,” said Jae-hyung.
Malaysia have already earned Olympic berths for the men’s individual and team events as well as the women’s individual. They also aim to qualify for the women’s team event in Ogden.
National coach Lee Jae-hyung was happy that Chu Sian and the other men archers had made an impact in a tournament that saw the biggest number of competitors – from 35 countries – for a timely boost ahead of the London Olympics in August.
Chu Sian’s third place finish showed that Malaysia are on the right track to win the country’s first archery medal at the Games. It was his best showing in the World Cup after reaching the last four in the same leg of the series in 2007.
The Jakarta SEA Games double gold medallist, Chu Sian defeated Frenchman Thomas Aubert 6-5 (26-27, 27-27, 24-28, 29-22, 28-26, 8-8) in the bronze medal playoff. In the tie breaker, Chu Sian was declared the winner when his final arrow was judged closer to the centre.
Earlier, he overcame Poland’s top archer Novak Piotr with a convincing 7-1 (28-25, 29-25, 29-29, 26-25) win in the quarter-finals. An archer gets one point for a draw and two for a win in a best of three games format.
Chu Sian lost to the eventual champion Brady Ellison of United States in the semi-finals with a score of 2-6 (28-29, 29-28, 27-29, 27-30) in closely-fought match.
The men’s team of Chu Sian, Khairul Anuar Mohd, Haziq Kamaruddin did not go far in the team recurve but still won praise from their coach. They lost 222-224 to Taiwan in the opening round.
Malaysia eventually ended up as the 10th best team while the United States dominated the event by winning four gold medals.
While the men did justice in their trip to Shanghai, the women’s team of Nurul Syafiqah Hashim, Ng Sui Kim, Shahira Abdul Halim and Siti Rashida Kamar Bashah could not raise their game.
The Olympic-bound Nurul was the top performer when she reached the third round of the individual recurve while the other three members crashed out in the opening round. Malaysia did not qualify for the women’s team elimination round.
“This is a relatively a new team and they couldn’t adjust quickly to the cold. The women will be in full training for the next two to three weeks and we will work on their game and confidence,” Jae-hyung said.
The national team’s next assignment is the second leg of the World Cup in Turkey from May 1-6, followed by the final Olympic qualifiers at the third leg of the World Cup in Ogden, US, from June 18-24.
“I intend to keep the archers on their toes and will only name the final list for the Olympics after the final leg of the World Cup,” said Jae-hyung.
Malaysia have already earned Olympic berths for the men’s individual and team events as well as the women’s individual. They also aim to qualify for the women’s team event in Ogden.
FENCING: Joshua fancies chances of making the cut
SEA Games gold medallist Joshua Koh is confident of becoming the nation's second fencer to qualify for the London Olympics at the Asian and Oceanic Olympic Qualifiers in Wakayama, Japan on Friday and Saturday.

Joshua Koh
"I finished fourth in the event last time but was some way off (qualifying) as there was only one spot available at the time," said the 22-year-old.
"I feel I have matured a lot since then and am confident I can do it this time as there will also be more places on offer where a top-three finish will do it for me.
"Physically I am fit and well prepared for the event as I have just returned from an 11-day training camp in Korea. I will look to focus on each match at a time in Japan.
"To compete in the Olympics has always been a dream for me and I will do my best to make it in Japan."
Joshua, who stated fencers from Japan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgystan as those to watch out for, will be joined at the event by Sea Games bronze medallist Natasha Ezzra Abu Bakar (foil) and Zairul Zaimi Mohd Arsad (foil).
The foil specialists will, however, have their work cut out for them as only winners in their respective categories will earn qualification to the London Games.
Yu Peng Kean had earlier this month become the first Malaysian fencer to qualify for the Olympic Games in 48 years. The 21-year-old made the cut for the the men's individual sabre as the second-ranked fencer in the Asia-Oceania region among those who have not already qualified at the end of the March 31 qualifying cut-off.
Meanwhile, the trio will also compete at the Asian Fencing Championships which will be held at the same venue right after the completion of the Olympic qualifiers on April 22-27.
They will be joined by six national fencers for the championships.
National Sports Council director general Datuk Zolkples Embong officiated the flag handing ceremony for the nine fencers who will compete in the competitions in Wakayama next week, at the National Sports Complex yesterday.
Monday, April 16, 2012
CYCLING: Honeymoon over
BACK TO THE GRIND: Full attention on the Olympics for trio

Azizulhasni Awang
THE trio of Azizulhasni Awang, Fatehah Mustapa and Josiah Ng end their post-World Championships break on April 28 and it is full speed ahead for the London Olympics from then on.
The planned pre-Olympic stint in Belgium is confirmed and there will be no room for any let-offs in the coming months.
"They'll head back to the training base in Melbourne first where they'll start their Olympic preparations," said Malaysian National Cycling Federation (MNCF) deputy president Datuk Naim Mohamad, who is also track team manager.
While the MNCF have indicated after the World Championships in Melbourne last week that Azizulhasni will be riding in both the 200m sprint and keirin at the Olympics, veteran Josiah, 32, will likely make the trip to London as a reserve.
Fatehah will compete in the women's 200m sprint and keirin in her Olympic debut.
"We're now just awaiting the final word from the selection committee on the two riders who will represent the country in the road events at the Olympics," said Naim.
"That decision is due before the closing dates for registration of athletes on July 9, so the MNCF road committee still have time to review the performances of the shortlisted riders.
"The riders too have to put in the results if they want their spots."
The track team leaves for University of Ghent in Belgium on June 28 for a month where they will prepare for the Cottbus Sprint GP on June 5-9 and the Cologne Sprint GP on July 21-22. Both races are in Germany.
"There is a high level of technical and medical support available in Belgium, plus it is under a joint project where the university hosts Olympic athletes preparing for the Games," said Naim.
"But the duration of the stint is subject to the availability of the London Olympic velodrome. We'd like to be there as early as possible because the riders need to get accustomed to the rounder configuration of the track."
The road squad is due to join them in Belgium for their final preparations for the Olympics.
The road team's select two are yet to be decided but Adiq Husainie Othman and Anuar Manan are well into their European stint with China's Champion System team.
Anuar started his third race in Europe yesterday in the Tro-Bro Leon in France, while Adiq Husainie is in Italy where he started the Giro del Appenino yesterday and will be in the Giro del Trentino which starts tomorrow.
Adiq Husainie had earlier found the going tough where he failed to finish the GP Pino Cerami in Belgium last week, but assured that as was the case with Anuar, it was all due to a lack of acclimatisation.
"It was my first race in really cold weather and we'd just arrived three days earlier. But now I'm feeling much better and we're doing some races in Italy where the weather is much better," said Adiq Husainie when contacted.
Also in the running for the two slots are Harrif Salleh, Zamri Salleh and Amir Mustafa Rusli.
Pandelela-Mun Yee are world’s third best pair
The top Malaysian pairing started in impressive fashion by clinching silver in the first leg in Dubai but finished in fourth place at the following leg in Beijing last month.
Pandelela-Mun Yee stepped up their challenge in Moscow, showing strong determination to clinch a second medal for Malaysia in the synchro discipline at the Diving World Series.
The Malaysian duo put themselves in bronze medal position from the start and eventually finished the five-dive competition with 321.00 points.
China’s reigning world champions Chen Ruolin-Wang Hao took gold with 343.09 points ahead of Canadian pair Roseline Filion-Meaghan Benfeito (325.86),
Pandelela-Mun Yee could have earned the silver if they had done better with their first and fourth dives, which saw them awarded 48.60 and 70.08 respectively.
These scores were average at the best and they need to improve if they harbour hopes of winning a historic medal at the London Olympics in August.
Except for the Chinese, national coach Yang Zhuliang said Malaysia are on par with the other pairs.
“Even the slightest of mistakes can end any chance of a medal. I believe the fight for the silver or bronze will be very close,” he said.
Pandelela-Mun Yee, who received US$3,000, will head straight to Tijuana, Mexico, for the final leg this weekend.
Participation in the series is only by invitation for the top eight ranked pairings in the world.
Bronze for Mun Yee, Pandelela
DIVING National divers Pandelela Rinong and Leong Mun Yee notched their second podium finish in the Diving World Series when they clinched a bronze medal in the 10m platform synchronised event at the Moscow leg on Saturday.
The duo, who missed out on a medal in the previous leg of the circuit in Beijing last month, scored a total of 321.00 in the final of the event to place third behind silver medallists Meaghan Benefito-Roseline Filion of Canada who managed a 325.86 total.As expected, the China pair of Ruolin Chan-Wang Hao eased to the gold medal with a 343.08 total. Ruolin had on Friday taken the gold medal in the 10m platform individual event which saw Pandelela finish fourth.
The bronze medal is the pair’s second medal in the circuit after having won the silver medal at the opening leg in Dubai. They will next compete at the final leg in Tijuana, Mexico on April 20-21.
ATHLETICS - Rayzam nearer Olympic dream
ATHLETICS Rayzam Shah Wan Sofian inched closer to a spot in the London Olympics after posting a personal best in finishing second in the men’s 110m hurdles final at the Australian Open in Melbourne yesterday.
The 2007 Sea Games winner’s time of 13.81 seconds was 0.05 better than his previous best set at the 2011 Sea Games in Palembang where he settled for silver.Rayzam was second to India’s Siddhanth Thingalaya, who clocked 13.66, but was comfortably ahead of bronze medallist Masayuki Lida of Japan (14.01).
However, the Sabahan still has some work to do to qualify for London as he was some way off the qualifying standard of 13.60.
Rayzam is one of five Malaysian track and field athletes striving to qualify for London along with high jumper Lee Hup Wei, hurdler Noraseela Khalid, pole vaulter Roslinda Samsu and walker Lo Choon Sieng.
None have yet made it but have until July 8 to qualify. Another hurdler, Robani Hassan, could only time 14.67 in the heats in Melbourne and failed to make the final.
Friday, April 13, 2012
ARCHERY: Chu Sian in World Cup semis
CHENG Chu Sian equalled a personal best when he reached the men's recurve semi-finals of the first World Cup event of the year in Shanghai yesterday.
The national archer was only denied a place in the final by American World No 1 Brady Ellison, going down 6-2, after a barn-storming run through the knockout stages.Chu Sian finished 39th in the qualifying round but saved his best for the Olympic rounds where he ousted Taiwan's Wang Hou-Chieh, Rick Van Der Ven of the Netherlands, Canada's Crispin Duenas and Italy's Mauro Nespoli before trouncing Piotr Nowak of Poland 7-1 in the quarter-finals.
His performance matched a fourth placing in the 2009 World Cup, also in Shanghai, and Chu Sian can go one better tomorrow in the bronze medal playoff against Thomas Aubert of France.
World No 6 Khairul Anuar Mohamed made the fourth round but was unlucky to run into South Korean Im Dong-Hyun, the 2007 world champion and two-time Olympic team gold medallist, suffering a 7-3 defeat.
Dong-Hyun accounted for Haziq Kamaruddin in the third round 6-0 while another Malaysian Fareez Rosli exited in the first round.
Nurul Syafiqah Hashimwas the best among the women when she reached the third round, where she was beaten in a tie-break by Natalia Valeeva of Italy.
In the team events today, Malaysia meet Taiwan in the men's first round but the women failed to qualify.
Shuttlers won’t stay at Games Village during the Olympics
KUALA LUMPUR: The national shuttlers will not stay at the Games Village during the Olympic Games in London.
This was decided after a joint Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) and National Sports Council (NSC) working committee meeting in Bukit Jalil yesterday.
The badminton competition will be held at the Wembley Arena from July 28-Aug 5.
The Games Village is an hour away in London and the BAM decided that it would be inconvenient to travel daily to the tournament venue.
BAM secretary Ng Chin Chai said: “The players will report at the Games Village first to facilitate the accreditation of athletes. Then, they will move their base to Wembley.”
The Olympic-bound shuttlers – Lee Chong Wei, Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong, Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying and Chin Eei Hui-Wong Pei Tty – will also leave earlier (probably two weeks before the Games) for Bath University as part of their preparation.
Chin Chai also said yesterday that they planned to hold a motivation camp in China prior to the Thomas Cup Finals, which will be held in Wuhan from May 20-27.
All decisions will be finalised at the BAM exco meeting on April 27.
Meanwhile, it was confirmed yesterday that Chong Wei will compete in the India Open from April 24-29 to test his condition. The world No. 1 injured his shoulder during the All-England last month and is 90% fit. The Open is the last tournament that offers qualifying points for the London Games.
This was decided after a joint Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) and National Sports Council (NSC) working committee meeting in Bukit Jalil yesterday.
The badminton competition will be held at the Wembley Arena from July 28-Aug 5.
The Games Village is an hour away in London and the BAM decided that it would be inconvenient to travel daily to the tournament venue.
BAM secretary Ng Chin Chai said: “The players will report at the Games Village first to facilitate the accreditation of athletes. Then, they will move their base to Wembley.”
The Olympic-bound shuttlers – Lee Chong Wei, Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong, Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying and Chin Eei Hui-Wong Pei Tty – will also leave earlier (probably two weeks before the Games) for Bath University as part of their preparation.
Chin Chai also said yesterday that they planned to hold a motivation camp in China prior to the Thomas Cup Finals, which will be held in Wuhan from May 20-27.
All decisions will be finalised at the BAM exco meeting on April 27.
Meanwhile, it was confirmed yesterday that Chong Wei will compete in the India Open from April 24-29 to test his condition. The world No. 1 injured his shoulder during the All-England last month and is 90% fit. The Open is the last tournament that offers qualifying points for the London Games.
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Beasley believes his riders will deliver at Olympics
KUALA LUMPUR: None of the elite national cyclists were anywhere near a podium finish at the World Track Championships in Melbourne but national coach John Beasley is not writing off their chances at the London Olympics.
In fact, Beasley is happy with their performance level and believes Olympic-bound Azizulhasni Awang, Josiah Ng and Fatehah Mustapa will deliver come July.
Azizul clocked his second fastest time of 10.193 seconds in the 200m sprint but missed out on the elimination rounds. He, however, reached the semi-finals in keirin.
Josiah also had high hopes of shining in the keirin after winning a career-first Asian Championships gold medal in Kuala Lumpur in February. Unfortunately, he did not advance after being drawn in a tough first round heat with world champion Shane Perkins of Australia and Guangzhou Asian Games sprint gold medallist Zhang Miao of China.
Fatehah also suffered a similar fate as she had Olympic champion Victoria Pendleton of Britain and Simona Krupeckaite of Lithuania for company in her semi-final heat and finished fourth to just miss out on the final.
The consolation was she sealed a quota slot for the country in keirin, making her the first Malaysian woman cyclist to ride at the Olympics.
Azizul is confirmed for the sprint in London as he was the one who contributed the points towards the quota slot over the past two years. But he will find it tough making an impact in a discipline where speed and power give the Europeans the advantage.
The keirin is where Malaysia have a better chance as good race craft and the right strategy could result in a historic medal.
Beasley is convinced the rider chosen for the men’s keirin, which is very likely to be Azizul, is definitely not going to just make up the numbers at the Olympics.
“I’m not going to name the rider just yet as the Olympics are four months away.
“The team are in good shape and where I expect them to be. A medal at the Olympics is very possible but there is still much to do.
“I’m happy where Azizul’s level is at the moment. Don’t forget he was off the bike for a long time due to the unfortunate injury he suffered early last year,” said Beasley.
As for Fatehah, the Australian is also not discounting her ability to spring a surprise.
“She is closing the gap on the others and it is more of a mental thing for her now. She has got to believe she is as good as the others.
“If we can get things right in training when we go to Europe, she should be in a position to make the Olympic final,” said Beasley.
The cyclists will return home for a short break before setting up camp in Belgium for the last phase of training for the Olympics.
In fact, Beasley is happy with their performance level and believes Olympic-bound Azizulhasni Awang, Josiah Ng and Fatehah Mustapa will deliver come July.
Azizul clocked his second fastest time of 10.193 seconds in the 200m sprint but missed out on the elimination rounds. He, however, reached the semi-finals in keirin.
Josiah also had high hopes of shining in the keirin after winning a career-first Asian Championships gold medal in Kuala Lumpur in February. Unfortunately, he did not advance after being drawn in a tough first round heat with world champion Shane Perkins of Australia and Guangzhou Asian Games sprint gold medallist Zhang Miao of China.
Fatehah also suffered a similar fate as she had Olympic champion Victoria Pendleton of Britain and Simona Krupeckaite of Lithuania for company in her semi-final heat and finished fourth to just miss out on the final.
The consolation was she sealed a quota slot for the country in keirin, making her the first Malaysian woman cyclist to ride at the Olympics.
Azizul is confirmed for the sprint in London as he was the one who contributed the points towards the quota slot over the past two years. But he will find it tough making an impact in a discipline where speed and power give the Europeans the advantage.
The keirin is where Malaysia have a better chance as good race craft and the right strategy could result in a historic medal.
Beasley is convinced the rider chosen for the men’s keirin, which is very likely to be Azizul, is definitely not going to just make up the numbers at the Olympics.
“I’m not going to name the rider just yet as the Olympics are four months away.
“The team are in good shape and where I expect them to be. A medal at the Olympics is very possible but there is still much to do.
“I’m happy where Azizul’s level is at the moment. Don’t forget he was off the bike for a long time due to the unfortunate injury he suffered early last year,” said Beasley.
As for Fatehah, the Australian is also not discounting her ability to spring a surprise.
“She is closing the gap on the others and it is more of a mental thing for her now. She has got to believe she is as good as the others.
“If we can get things right in training when we go to Europe, she should be in a position to make the Olympic final,” said Beasley.
The cyclists will return home for a short break before setting up camp in Belgium for the last phase of training for the Olympics.
Monday, April 9, 2012
CYCLING: Azizul seals London slots
AZIZULHASNI Awang missed out on a slot in the keirin final at the UCI Track World Championships in Melbourne yesterday but sealed both slots for the Olympics.
The debate over whether Azizulhasni or Josiah Ng would ride in the keirin and 200m sprint at the Olympics in July and August was put to rest after the 24-year-old proved that he is the best Malaysian for both jobs.In the keirin yesterday, Azizulhasni won his first round heat for an automatic slot in the second round where he finished fifth in his heat won by Germany's Maximillian Levy ahead of Japan's Kazunari Watanabe and New Zealand's Simon Van Velthooven.
In the seventh to 12th classification race, Azizulhasni finished behind Australia's Scott Sunderland and Venezuela's Hersony Canelon to rank ninth.
Josiah and Edrus Yunos both lost out in their opening round heats and failed to make it through via the repechages.
The keirin was won by reigning Olympic champion Chris Hoy of Britain ahead of Levy, while Van Velthooven took the bronze medal.
Though disappointed with the overall outcome of this World Championships campaign, Azizulhasni can now focus fully on his medal assault at the Olympics.
"In the second round heat, I got boxed in but managed to manoeuvre myself clear. By then the other riders were already too fast and there was no time to catch up. It was a very fast race," said Azizulhasni.
"We are through to the Olympics and I will peak in London."
National team manager Datuk Naim Mohamad confirmed that Azizulhasni will be the one riding for the country in both the keirin and 200m sprint at the Olympics, despite attempts by Josiah to turn a decision in his favour.
"Now all that is left is for Azizul to be careful and stay safe.
"He has to stay clear of injuries as we prepare him for the Olympics," said Naim.
"He has the sprint and keirin spot to focus on."
By Arnaz M. Khairul - New Straits Times
Azizul in driving seat to ride keirin slot in the Olympics
Azizul reached the semi-finals in style by winning the first round heat outright while team-mate and reigning Asian champion Josiah Ng did not clear his first round heat and was subsequently eliminated in the repechage.
However, Azizul’s bid to reach the top six final was dashed when he only managed fifth place in his semi-finals heat behind Japanese former Asian champion Nitta Yudai.
German Levy Maximilian, the 2009 world champion, won the heat and he was joined in the final by Japan’s Kazunari Watanabe and Simon Van Velthooven of New Zealand.

It was still a creditable effort from Azizul, who was making a comeback to top level competition after suffering a horrific calf injury early last year and missing last year’s world meet in Holland as a result.
A country can only enter one rider for the individual discipline at the Olympics this time and performance at the world meet carries the most weight.
National Sportsman of the Year Azizul has indicated his ability to shoulder the challenge of delivering a first-ever medal at the Olympics but he was not satisfied with the outcome yesterday.
“I was confident of making the final after winning the first round heat without going into repechage,” he said.
“I even put in a big gear for the semis but the incident (involving Velthooven) really upset my momentum somewhat.
“I was leading at the front but the Kiwi rider then fell and they had to restart the race,” said Azizul, who won consecutive silver medals at the world meet in 2010 and 2011.
Coach John Beasley said luck was just not on their side last night.
“I was hoping we would land one medal at least but things didn’t work out.
“Azizul had a good start and was in a good position. But they restarted the race and he couldn’t get the position he wanted and was marked out,” said the Australian.
Josiah was gutted over his failure to make an impact at the world meet as it now means that his younger team-mate is the favourite to ride the keirin at the Olympics.
“I was in good form but my best wasn’t enough.
“It’s disappointing to put everything on the line and get this kind of result. It’s kind of like sticking a knife in the chest.
“I’m fully committed to supporting Azizul now as it looks like I will be the alternate rider for the Olympics.
“But I will work hard in training as if anything happens to Azizul, I should be ready to step forward,” said the 2004 Athens Olympics finalist.
Shabery Hopes Fatehah Can Shine In The Olympics
Shabery said he was delighted and proud with the Hulu Terengganu-born cyclist for becoming the first national women cyclist to qualify for the Olympics, which gave a big impact to the country.
"The country has great expectation on athletes who had qualified for the Olympics to win the country's first gold medal," he told reporters at the launch of the 1Malaysia Cardiff City (1MCC) League at the Rubber Research Institute field in Sungai Buloh near here Sunday.
Christina Loh Out To Qualify For The London Olympics On Merit
KUALA LUMPUR, April 8 (Bernama) -- National swimmer Christina Loh Yen Ling wants to qualify for the 2012 London Olympics on merit although she had already earned a ticket to London under the B Category.
Loh, 17, said she hoped to improve on her personal best time at the Malaysian Open, held from May 3 to 7, in order to surpass the qualifying mark for the Olympics.
The young swimmer said she was not happy with the time of 1 minute 12.08 seconds she had set in the 100m women's Breastroke at the National Age Group Championships at the National Aquatic Centre in Bukit Jalil here Sunday.
Loh, 17, said she hoped to improve on her personal best time at the Malaysian Open, held from May 3 to 7, in order to surpass the qualifying mark for the Olympics.
The young swimmer said she was not happy with the time of 1 minute 12.08 seconds she had set in the 100m women's Breastroke at the National Age Group Championships at the National Aquatic Centre in Bukit Jalil here Sunday.
Chong Wei Is Very Special, Says Misbun
KUALA LUMPUR, April 7 (Bernama) -- Former national singles badminton coach Datuk Misbun Sidek described the world's top champion Datuk Lee Chong Wei as very special and hard to replace.
"It's easy to find a champion but to create a world number one is not easy"
"If we want to find more like Chong Wei, the Badminton Association of Malaysia must conduct a special evaluation immediately," he told reporters after receiving the Sports Awards for All (Asus) here Friday.
Misbun was honoured as the Asus Sports Personality for 2012 and received RM5,000 in cash, a trophy and certificate.
The award was presented by Sports and Youth Ministry secretary-general Datuk Mohid Mohamed at the Grand Seasons hotel here.
LIST OF WINNERS
1. Sports Personality Award - Datuk Misbun Sidek
2. Leadership category (Men) - Muhammad Hafiz Zainudin
3. Leadership category (Women) - Suraya Yaacob
4. Sports Associations - Persatuan Kecerdasan Wilayah Persekutuan Labuan
5. Active family category - Kamarulzaman Mohd Ibrahim
6. Drivers/Volunteerism - Samion Ghani
7. Disabled category - Ahmad Mahmud
8. Sports Clubs - Tanjung Dawai Sports Club
"It's easy to find a champion but to create a world number one is not easy"
"If we want to find more like Chong Wei, the Badminton Association of Malaysia must conduct a special evaluation immediately," he told reporters after receiving the Sports Awards for All (Asus) here Friday.
Misbun was honoured as the Asus Sports Personality for 2012 and received RM5,000 in cash, a trophy and certificate.
The award was presented by Sports and Youth Ministry secretary-general Datuk Mohid Mohamed at the Grand Seasons hotel here.
LIST OF WINNERS
1. Sports Personality Award - Datuk Misbun Sidek
2. Leadership category (Men) - Muhammad Hafiz Zainudin
3. Leadership category (Women) - Suraya Yaacob
4. Sports Associations - Persatuan Kecerdasan Wilayah Persekutuan Labuan
5. Active family category - Kamarulzaman Mohd Ibrahim
6. Drivers/Volunteerism - Samion Ghani
7. Disabled category - Ahmad Mahmud
8. Sports Clubs - Tanjung Dawai Sports Club
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Josiah anchors team to 12th place in team sprint race
PETALING JAYA: Seasoned campaigner Josiah Ng turned on the speed to give Malaysia a creditable 12th placing in the men’s team sprint in the opening day’s action at the World Track Championships in Melbourne.
Asian keirin champion Josiah was a surprise entry for the team sprint, with coach John Beasley putting him in as the third rider at the last minute.
And what a difference it made as Josiah blazed to the eighth fastest time amongst all the riders in the field. The Malaysian team, with Fattah Amri Zaid as the starter and Mohd Edrus Yunos as the second rider, eventually posted 45.529.
It’s the best time by a Malaysian combination in an indoor track in a major competition since the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou.
Malaysia initially placed 14th but were later promoted to 12th overall after the shocking relegations of favourites Britain and Germany.
Germany had topped the timesheets earlier but found themselves disqualified along with Britain for infringements.
A total of 17 countries took part in the men’s team sprint.
Hosts Australia, led by keirin defending world champion Shane Perkins, bagged the first gold for their country, posting 43.266 to beat last year’s winner France (43.267).
Team manager Datuk Naim Mohamad said Josiah and Edrus were asked to ride in the team sprint at the last minute to replace juniors Malex McCrone and Mohd Arfy Qhairant.
“John felt that the juniors were not up to scratch after training at the venue,” said Naim from Melbourne.
“We wanted them to try for the national record and go below 45 seconds today but it’s still a decent time for our team sprint trio, considering that Josiah has not ridden in the team sprint for some time.
“We have not focused on the team sprint for the past one year because our riders are trying their best to qualify for their individual events. So we thought maybe we should try and see where we stand at the moment.
“Josiah is in good form and put in a very fast lap to push the team up today.”
Mohd Hariff Salleh finished 17th in the men’s 15km scratch race final that was won by Britain’s Ben Swift.
Fatehah Mustapa will begin her campaign today as she bids to qualify for the knockout rounds of the women’s sprint, the event where she won a silver at the Asian championships in February.
Edrus starts the 1km time trial event as the reigning Asian champion but will be hard pressed to make an impact against the illustrious field.
Asian keirin champion Josiah was a surprise entry for the team sprint, with coach John Beasley putting him in as the third rider at the last minute.
And what a difference it made as Josiah blazed to the eighth fastest time amongst all the riders in the field. The Malaysian team, with Fattah Amri Zaid as the starter and Mohd Edrus Yunos as the second rider, eventually posted 45.529.
It’s the best time by a Malaysian combination in an indoor track in a major competition since the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou.
Malaysia initially placed 14th but were later promoted to 12th overall after the shocking relegations of favourites Britain and Germany.
Germany had topped the timesheets earlier but found themselves disqualified along with Britain for infringements.
A total of 17 countries took part in the men’s team sprint.
Hosts Australia, led by keirin defending world champion Shane Perkins, bagged the first gold for their country, posting 43.266 to beat last year’s winner France (43.267).
Team manager Datuk Naim Mohamad said Josiah and Edrus were asked to ride in the team sprint at the last minute to replace juniors Malex McCrone and Mohd Arfy Qhairant.
“John felt that the juniors were not up to scratch after training at the venue,” said Naim from Melbourne.
“We wanted them to try for the national record and go below 45 seconds today but it’s still a decent time for our team sprint trio, considering that Josiah has not ridden in the team sprint for some time.
“We have not focused on the team sprint for the past one year because our riders are trying their best to qualify for their individual events. So we thought maybe we should try and see where we stand at the moment.
“Josiah is in good form and put in a very fast lap to push the team up today.”
Mohd Hariff Salleh finished 17th in the men’s 15km scratch race final that was won by Britain’s Ben Swift.
Fatehah Mustapa will begin her campaign today as she bids to qualify for the knockout rounds of the women’s sprint, the event where she won a silver at the Asian championships in February.
Edrus starts the 1km time trial event as the reigning Asian champion but will be hard pressed to make an impact against the illustrious field.
Malaysian fencer Peng Kean makes cut for the Olympics
PETALING JAYA: Fencing is the latest sport to be included in the Road to London programme following fencer Yu Peng Kean’s achievement in making the cut for the Olympics in July.
The 21-year-old from Malacca made the grade for London in individual sabre by virtue of being the second ranked fencer in the Asian rankings at the end of the qualification period at end of March.
Fencers from countries who have qualified for the team event through the world meet are not considered and it paved the way for Peng Kean, who is ranked 69th in the world, to become only the second Malaysian fencer to compete at the Olympics.
Ronnie Theseira was the first, having represented the country at the Tokyo Olympics in Tokyo in 1964. He was also the first president of the Malaysian Fencing Federation.
Peng Kean got good ranking points after placing ninth and seventh in the 2010 and 2011 Asian Championships respectively.
It is another feather in the cap for Malaysian fencing following its superb showing at the Indonesia SEA Games last November.
The fencers delivered two gold medals – the best achievement for the sport in SEA Games history as the current crop of fencers from Bandar Penawar Sports School in Johor reaches maturity.
Peng Kean combined with Liong Ming Cheng, Nurul Ariezzat Nazreen Ismail and Muhammad Radhi Hashim to deliver a first-ever gold for Malaysia in the men’s sabre team event while Joshua Koh grabbed the first gold in the individual epee in Jakarta.
National Sports Council (NSC) director general Datuk Zolkples Embong said Peng Kean will be included in the Road to London programme, enabling him to receive a monthly allowance of RM2,500. Aquatics, archery, badminton, cycling, shooting, football and hockey were the earlier sports placed under the Road to London programme.
“Fencing was not included in the Road to London programme before but they have produced the results now,” said Zolkples.
“We have a fencer who has qualified on merit ... it is a big achievement to get to London.
“We have funded training stints for the fencers in South Korea and Italy and they’ve delivered the medals at the SEA Games.
“We will discuss with the coach about the training programme for the fencer and he will get more exposure to prepare him for the Olympics.”
The sports that have qualified athletes for the Olympics in July so far are archery (4), diving (9), cycling (2) and shooting (1).
A total of 33 athletes from nine sports took part in the Beijing Olympics four years ago but Zolkples does not expect as many to qualify this time although more are expected to come through badminton, track cycling and swimming.
The 21-year-old from Malacca made the grade for London in individual sabre by virtue of being the second ranked fencer in the Asian rankings at the end of the qualification period at end of March.
Fencers from countries who have qualified for the team event through the world meet are not considered and it paved the way for Peng Kean, who is ranked 69th in the world, to become only the second Malaysian fencer to compete at the Olympics.
Ronnie Theseira was the first, having represented the country at the Tokyo Olympics in Tokyo in 1964. He was also the first president of the Malaysian Fencing Federation.
Peng Kean got good ranking points after placing ninth and seventh in the 2010 and 2011 Asian Championships respectively.
It is another feather in the cap for Malaysian fencing following its superb showing at the Indonesia SEA Games last November.
The fencers delivered two gold medals – the best achievement for the sport in SEA Games history as the current crop of fencers from Bandar Penawar Sports School in Johor reaches maturity.
Peng Kean combined with Liong Ming Cheng, Nurul Ariezzat Nazreen Ismail and Muhammad Radhi Hashim to deliver a first-ever gold for Malaysia in the men’s sabre team event while Joshua Koh grabbed the first gold in the individual epee in Jakarta.
National Sports Council (NSC) director general Datuk Zolkples Embong said Peng Kean will be included in the Road to London programme, enabling him to receive a monthly allowance of RM2,500. Aquatics, archery, badminton, cycling, shooting, football and hockey were the earlier sports placed under the Road to London programme.
“Fencing was not included in the Road to London programme before but they have produced the results now,” said Zolkples.
“We have a fencer who has qualified on merit ... it is a big achievement to get to London.
“We have funded training stints for the fencers in South Korea and Italy and they’ve delivered the medals at the SEA Games.
“We will discuss with the coach about the training programme for the fencer and he will get more exposure to prepare him for the Olympics.”
The sports that have qualified athletes for the Olympics in July so far are archery (4), diving (9), cycling (2) and shooting (1).
A total of 33 athletes from nine sports took part in the Beijing Olympics four years ago but Zolkples does not expect as many to qualify this time although more are expected to come through badminton, track cycling and swimming.
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
SHOOTING: Suryani walking a thin line
AT RISK: Pregnant shooter’s Olympic hopes could be in jeopardy

Nur Suryani Mohd Taibi’s form will be assessed before the Olympic registration deadline in mid-June.
NUR Suryani Mohd Taibi's Olympic dream could be dashed if the pregnant shooter fails to perform in competitions leading up to the London Games.
The mother-to-be not only needs medical clearance to compete in the Olympics but has also to impress or risk being replaced by either Nur Ayuni Farhana Abdul Halim or Muslifah Zulkifli.
The National Shooting Association of Malaysia (NSAM) will assess Nur Suryani's form before the Olympic registration deadline in mid-June.
The 28-year-old, who is now into her fourth month of pregnancy, capped a superb performance in the Asian Championships in Doha in January by finishing fifth in the 10-metre air rifle to earn an Olympic quota spot for Malaysia.
She also achieved the minimum qualification score (MQS) for the 50m three-position event at the same event for a second berth.
The shooter, who will be seven months pregnant during the Olympics, has insisted she wants to compete at the Games but will withdraw from the three-position event.
Nur Suryani will get a chance to prove her critics wrong at the London leg of the ISSF World Cup, scheduled for April 17-24, along with Nur Ayuni Farhana and Muslifah.
It is the first time London will be hosting a World Cup round and the competition for pistol, rifle and shotgun disciplines at the Royal Artillery Barracks will double up as the Olympic test event.
The trio will compete in two events -- air rifle and three-position disciplines -- in London.
NSAM executive-secretary Muzli Mustakim said only three rifle shooters will represent Malaysia in the World Cup after the rest failed to make the Olympic cut.
"Nur Ayuni and Muslifah are in the squad as we identified them as a possible replacement for Nur Suryani if she is deemed unfit for the Olympics," said Muzli yesterday.
"Nur Suryani is our best rifle shooter but she is pregnant and we have to monitor her progress to see whether she can sustain the pace.
"We will take into account the performances of the trio if we come to a difficult stage, where we must replace her."
Trap shooters, Charles Chen, Bernard Yeoh and Nazree Ismail, meanwhile, will compete in the London leg at their own expense.
The trio, who did not make the cut at the Asian Championships, is hoping to gain experience from taking on the best trap shooters at the event.
The mother-to-be not only needs medical clearance to compete in the Olympics but has also to impress or risk being replaced by either Nur Ayuni Farhana Abdul Halim or Muslifah Zulkifli.
The National Shooting Association of Malaysia (NSAM) will assess Nur Suryani's form before the Olympic registration deadline in mid-June.
The 28-year-old, who is now into her fourth month of pregnancy, capped a superb performance in the Asian Championships in Doha in January by finishing fifth in the 10-metre air rifle to earn an Olympic quota spot for Malaysia.
She also achieved the minimum qualification score (MQS) for the 50m three-position event at the same event for a second berth.
The shooter, who will be seven months pregnant during the Olympics, has insisted she wants to compete at the Games but will withdraw from the three-position event.
Nur Suryani will get a chance to prove her critics wrong at the London leg of the ISSF World Cup, scheduled for April 17-24, along with Nur Ayuni Farhana and Muslifah.
It is the first time London will be hosting a World Cup round and the competition for pistol, rifle and shotgun disciplines at the Royal Artillery Barracks will double up as the Olympic test event.
The trio will compete in two events -- air rifle and three-position disciplines -- in London.
NSAM executive-secretary Muzli Mustakim said only three rifle shooters will represent Malaysia in the World Cup after the rest failed to make the Olympic cut.
"Nur Ayuni and Muslifah are in the squad as we identified them as a possible replacement for Nur Suryani if she is deemed unfit for the Olympics," said Muzli yesterday.
"Nur Suryani is our best rifle shooter but she is pregnant and we have to monitor her progress to see whether she can sustain the pace.
"We will take into account the performances of the trio if we come to a difficult stage, where we must replace her."
Trap shooters, Charles Chen, Bernard Yeoh and Nazree Ismail, meanwhile, will compete in the London leg at their own expense.
The trio, who did not make the cut at the Asian Championships, is hoping to gain experience from taking on the best trap shooters at the event.
Pregnant Nur Suryani feels pressure to deliver
PETALING JAYA: The pressure is on mother-to-be Nur Suryani Mohd Taibi to live up to her billing as the top woman rifle shooter if she is to see action at the London Olympics in July.
The 28-year-old Suryani, who is now into her fourth month of pregnancy, will compete in the ISSF World Cup leg in London from April 17-24 along with fellow women rifle shooters Nur Ayuni Farhana Halim and Muslifah Zulkifli.
It is the first time London will host a World Cup leg and the week-long competition for rifle, pistol and shotgun disciplines at the Royal Artillery Barracks will double up as the Olympic test event.
The Olympic shooting competition was originally planned for the National Shooting Centre in Bisley but was changed after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) expressed concerns about the distance between London and Bisley.
Suryani earned the Olympic quota spot for the country in the women’s 10m air rifle at the Asian Shooting Championships in Doha in January but it was later revealed that she was already pregnant with her first child.
Ayuni and Muslifah were later identified as the back-up choices in case Suryani is unable to compete in the Olympics.
However, Suryani is not relinquishing her dream and is determined to see action at the Olympics as she earned the quota in the first place.
National Shooting Association of Malaysia (NSAM) assistant secretary Musli Mustakim said they are only sending the three women rifle shooters as the Olympic qualification process has already finished.
”We are sending Ayuni and Muslifah as they are the ones we will be looking at if Suryani cannot make it to the Olympics,” Musli said.
”Suryani is still the best rifle shooter we have in the country but she is now pregnant and we will monitor her form and whether she can sustain it over the remaining months.
“The trio will compete in the 10m air rifle and 50m rifle three-position. We will take their performances into account if we come to a stage where we have to decide.”
The opportunity to check out the Olympic venue is also too good an experience to miss for trap shooters Bernard Yeoh, Charles Chen and Nazree Ismail.
The trio, who did not make the cut at the Asian meet, are paying their own way to compete in the World Cup leg.
Charles and Nazree will fly to London to hook up with Bernard, who took part at the 2004 Olympics in Athens and who operates a restaurant in the English capital.
The 28-year-old Suryani, who is now into her fourth month of pregnancy, will compete in the ISSF World Cup leg in London from April 17-24 along with fellow women rifle shooters Nur Ayuni Farhana Halim and Muslifah Zulkifli.
It is the first time London will host a World Cup leg and the week-long competition for rifle, pistol and shotgun disciplines at the Royal Artillery Barracks will double up as the Olympic test event.
The Olympic shooting competition was originally planned for the National Shooting Centre in Bisley but was changed after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) expressed concerns about the distance between London and Bisley.
Suryani earned the Olympic quota spot for the country in the women’s 10m air rifle at the Asian Shooting Championships in Doha in January but it was later revealed that she was already pregnant with her first child.
Ayuni and Muslifah were later identified as the back-up choices in case Suryani is unable to compete in the Olympics.
However, Suryani is not relinquishing her dream and is determined to see action at the Olympics as she earned the quota in the first place.
National Shooting Association of Malaysia (NSAM) assistant secretary Musli Mustakim said they are only sending the three women rifle shooters as the Olympic qualification process has already finished.
”We are sending Ayuni and Muslifah as they are the ones we will be looking at if Suryani cannot make it to the Olympics,” Musli said.
”Suryani is still the best rifle shooter we have in the country but she is now pregnant and we will monitor her form and whether she can sustain it over the remaining months.
“The trio will compete in the 10m air rifle and 50m rifle three-position. We will take their performances into account if we come to a stage where we have to decide.”
The opportunity to check out the Olympic venue is also too good an experience to miss for trap shooters Bernard Yeoh, Charles Chen and Nazree Ismail.
The trio, who did not make the cut at the Asian meet, are paying their own way to compete in the World Cup leg.
Charles and Nazree will fly to London to hook up with Bernard, who took part at the 2004 Olympics in Athens and who operates a restaurant in the English capital.
CYCLING: It's down to business
FOCUSED: Azizul will also target the 200m sprint besides the keirin

Azizulhasni Awang
THERE'S no more room for selective focus on Azizulhasni Awang's menu as he prepares for the UCI Track World Championships which begin in Melbourne today.
Three-time UCI World Cup overall keirin champion Azizulhasni's mind is fully geared towards Saturday and Sunday when he is down for the 200m sprint and keirin, with equal emphasis on both events.
"There's no more hanky panky, now it's 110 percent for everything since both events are in the Olympics," said Azizulhasni, when contacted.
"Before this my focus had been on one event, the keirin. I didn't fully concentrate on the sprint. But now it is going to be full gas for both. I want excellent results in both events."
The duel between Azizulhasni and Josiah Ng for the Olympic slots in either event will be one to watch out for since one of them could yet miss the flight to London in July when the selection committee makes its final decision.
But the 24-year old Sportsman of the Year isn't distracted by the tension caused by that topic.
"I'm also entering this World Championships with a vengeance as I was forced to miss last year's meet. I am fully fired-up for it," said Azizulhasni.
He missed last year's World Championships in Apeldoorn, the Netherlands due to an injury sustained in a horrific crash at the final round of last year's UCI World Cup season in Manchester where he had a 20cm wood splinter from the track pierce his calf.
Since his return from a six-month lay-off, Azizulhasni's form has progressed with each competition.
"It is better than before and I'm targeting podium finishes," said Azizulhasni.
The new team sprint combination of Arfy Qhairant Amran, Edrus Yunos and Fattah Amri Zaid open Malaysia's campaign today, along with Harrif Salleh who contests the men's scratch race in the evening session.
Kevin now chases Olympic spot in 400m freestyle
KUALA LUMPUR: Indonesia SEA Games gold medallist Kevin Yeap is aiming for double Olympic qualification in the national age-group swimming championships at the National Aquatic Centre in Bukit Jalil this weekend.
The 23-year-old long distance swimmer met the London Olympic invitational mark for the 1,500m freestyle at the Singapore national age-group meet last month and has set his sights on dipping under the 400m freestyle mark as well.
Kevin, who has never competed in the Olympics, said he won’t be doing the longer distance this time so as to give himself a better shot at making the cut for the 400m freestyle.
Not done yet: Kevin Yeap is the only Malaysian swimmer to have reached Olympic qualifying standards. “I’m only swimming the 200m and 400m freestyles this time. I hope to get under the Olympic invitational time for the 400m freestyle as I’m just one second away based on my personal best time,” said Kevin.
“It’s very close and I will go for it this weekend.”
Kevin clocked a personal best of 15:40.54 in Singapore for the longest race in the men’s division and it is inside the Olympic invitational time of 15:43.74.
The Universiti Putra Malaysia undergraduate in business studies also bagged the gold in the 400m freestyle in 3:55.32, just outside the Olympic invitational time of 3:54.13.
Kevin clocked 3:55.07 when he won his first SEA Games gold in Indonesia last year.
He is the only male swimmer from Malaysia to have reached Olympic qualifying standards so far.
Three women swimmers – Christina Loh, Siow Yi Ting and Khoo Cai Lin – have also met the invitational time in their respective pet events but they are not guaranteed of places.
A swimmer reaching Olympic invitation time standard is eligible for entry depending on the rankings where they will need to better their times before the deadline passes in June and a country can only have one representative in each event.
This year’s three-day meet has been accepted as an Olympic qualifier for South-East Asia and the organisers, the Amateur Swimming Union of Malaysia (Asum), are opening the event to foreign swimmers for the first time.
Hong Kong, India, the Philippines and Guam have confirmed participation.
The Malaysian Open, followed by the inaugural South-East Asian Championships, both taking place next month, and the Singapore Open in June are the other remaining Olympic qualifying meets.
The 23-year-old long distance swimmer met the London Olympic invitational mark for the 1,500m freestyle at the Singapore national age-group meet last month and has set his sights on dipping under the 400m freestyle mark as well.
Kevin, who has never competed in the Olympics, said he won’t be doing the longer distance this time so as to give himself a better shot at making the cut for the 400m freestyle.

“It’s very close and I will go for it this weekend.”
Kevin clocked a personal best of 15:40.54 in Singapore for the longest race in the men’s division and it is inside the Olympic invitational time of 15:43.74.
The Universiti Putra Malaysia undergraduate in business studies also bagged the gold in the 400m freestyle in 3:55.32, just outside the Olympic invitational time of 3:54.13.
Kevin clocked 3:55.07 when he won his first SEA Games gold in Indonesia last year.
He is the only male swimmer from Malaysia to have reached Olympic qualifying standards so far.
Three women swimmers – Christina Loh, Siow Yi Ting and Khoo Cai Lin – have also met the invitational time in their respective pet events but they are not guaranteed of places.
A swimmer reaching Olympic invitation time standard is eligible for entry depending on the rankings where they will need to better their times before the deadline passes in June and a country can only have one representative in each event.
This year’s three-day meet has been accepted as an Olympic qualifier for South-East Asia and the organisers, the Amateur Swimming Union of Malaysia (Asum), are opening the event to foreign swimmers for the first time.
Hong Kong, India, the Philippines and Guam have confirmed participation.
The Malaysian Open, followed by the inaugural South-East Asian Championships, both taking place next month, and the Singapore Open in June are the other remaining Olympic qualifying meets.
'Macam mimpi'
Yu Peng Kean
"SAYA amat terperanjat apabila diberitahu saya sudah layak ke Sukan Olimpik,” kata Yu Peng Kean yang megah layak atas merit ke temasya London 2012. Kelayakan atlit lawan pedang negara acara sabre berusia 21 tahun ke pentas elit, Julai ini disebut berpandu kepada kiraan mata serta kedudukan tempat ke-9 dan ke-7 pada Kejohanan Asia 2010 dan 2011
Sukan lawan pedang negara mencipta bangga membuat penampilan kedua menyertai sukan Olimpik selepas kemarau 48 tahun.
Ronnie Theseira menjadi atlit lawan pedang terakhir mewakili negara dalam acara foil, epee dan sabre individu di Tokyo pada 1964.
Selain Peng Kean, satu lagi atlit Asia terakhir berjaya layak atas merit adalah Chung Hin Lam dari Hong Kong.
Apa pun, khabar ceria itu dibayangi faktor kecederaan lutut kiri yang melanda atlit dari Johor itu tapi dia yakin akan pulih dalam tempoh tiga bulan sebelum berlepas ke London.
Peng Kean cedera ketika beraksi di Kejohanan Lawan Pedang Asia di Seoul, tahun lalu tapi dia tidak mahu ia menjadi penghalang memenuhi cita-cita untuk beraksi buat pertama kali dalam Sukan Olimpik.
Mengulas mengenai persediaannya, pelajar jurusan Sumber Manusia Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) dan berada di ranking ke-69 dunia itu berkata, dia masihbelum mempunyai perancangan untuk latihan seterusnya kerana jurulatihnya kini bersama skuad lawan pedang negara di China untuk latihan intensif bermula semalam hingga hujung bulan ini.
“Saya tidak dapat mengikuti latihan itu bersama rakan lain kerana ketika ini saya perlu menjalani fisioterapi di Institut Sukan Negara (ISN) dan perlu berehat untuk memulihkan kecederaan yang saya alami,” katanya.
Dengan kehadiran Peng Kean, jumlah atlit yang sudah layak ke London setakat ini adalah 16, termasuk lapan dari acara terjun yang membentuk jumlah paling ramai
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