Akmal swaps silat for archery and strikes double Sukma gold

KAJANG: Akmal Danial Baharuddin, an 18-year-old archer from Terengganu, never anticipated that a casual attempt at archery would lead to two Malaysia Games (Sukma) gold medals. Initially, Akmal trained in silat but had to change his sporting path after the death of his teacher, who had emotionally supported him. His school then provided an opportunity for students to try archery, and Akmal decided to give it a go.

Years later, Akmal has emerged as a double gold medallist at the Selangor Sukma Games, a far cry from his initial expectations.

The turn of events began when Akmal's silat teacher passed away, leaving him devastated as the mentor had understood his emotions. His school offered archery, and Akmal decided to give it a try. Realizing that he needed to focus on a sport to dedicate his full attention, Akmal chose archery and gradually improved his skills, becoming more consistent over time.

During the men's compound 50-metre final at INSPEN Stadium, Akmal showcased a composed performance, ultimately winning the final with 147 points, surpassing the Penang representative who scored 143 for silver. Terengganu's national archer Aiman Syafiq secured the bronze medal. Akmal's victory was satisfying, as he had not been considered among the favorites before the competition.

Despite starting the final with a lead, Akmal remained focused on one arrow at a time, refusing to think about future results and concentrating on maintaining his performance.

Reflecting on his journey, Akmal stated, "I just did my best because you never know when a mistake or something unexpected might happen. I kept fighting until the very last shot."