Malaysian sailors hope to catch favourable winds for Asian Games gold
KUALA LUMPUR: On paper, the Olympic Council of Malaysia has charted a cautious course for the national sailing squad at the Asian Games, setting a target of one silver and five bronze medals.
Malaysian sailors harbor aspirations of securing a gold medal at the upcoming Asian Games, buoyed by favorable winds in Aichi-Nagoya. Team manager Afendy Abdullah believes the squad, comprising seasoned champions and young talents, can achieve this feat with proper preparation and alignment of elements. Sailing, he notes, is a battle against weather, tides, and changing sea conditions, but if the winds cooperate, Malaysia can compete with any nation.
However, Afendy acknowledges the disparity in international exposure between Malaysia and Asia's top sailing powers, with some countries participating in more overseas regattas than Malaysia. Despite this, he emphasizes that the team will focus on maximizing their preparation and giving their best in every race. Malaysia has a storied sailing history at the Asian Games, with silver and bronze medals won by athletes such as Ryan Tan, Rufina Tan, Nurul Elia Anuar, and Faizal Norizan-Syukri Aziz.
The men's Laser category, which has produced silver medals in the past, will not be contested in Aichi-Nagoya, but the squad includes three returning medallists who have claimed a total of five Asian Games medals. Defending champion Nur Shazrin Latif, a four-time Olympian, is leading the charge, accompanied by other experienced sailors like Khairulnizam Afendy and Fauzi Kaman Shah.
With nine debutants joining the roster, Afendy remains optimistic that Malaysia's sailors can challenge the best in Asia, emphasizing the importance of mental grit and sharp execution in achieving success.
Written by urgent.news from New Straits Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
