{
  "id": 2315321,
  "title": "Coachless UM student Eason hits bullseye for Sukma gold",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/21/coachless-um-student-eason-hits-bullseye-for-sukma-gold",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-21T06:09:08.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/sports/others/2026/08/1515878/coachless-um-student-eason-hits-bullseye-sukma-gold"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "KAJANG: Sarawak archer Eason Lau triumphed in the mixed team compound gold medal at the Selangor Malaysia Games (Sukma) without a coach, battling financial constraints and intense university studies. Eason and teammate Wee Yee Qi earned 151 points over four ends, narrowly defeating Kedah's Zaim Ahmad and Ili Nabihah Shafizan by one point. The 21-year-old Universiti Malaya student highlighted time management as his greatest challenge, as he juggled academic commitments with training sessions spread across Grab rides and bus journeys. Eason, who had to fund his own transportation, trained solo due to the lack of a coach. His Sarawak squad qualification was only secured in the final stages, with scores often differing by mere points. Following his July exams, Eason participated in a one-month centralised training camp in Bandung, Indonesia, and Universiti Putra Malaysia. The gold medal marked a memorable finale to his final Sukma appearance, after falling short in 2022. Eason, who shifted from recurve to compound archery, aspires to bolster his skills and secure a place in the national archery team, citing the victory as motivation for further improvement.",
  "summary": "KAJANG: Sarawak archer Eason Lau overcame the absence of a coach, financial strain, and demanding university studies to snatch the mixed team compound gold medal at the Selangor Malaysia Games (Sukma).",
  "key_points": [
    "Eason Lau wins mixed team compound gold at Sukma without a coach",
    "21-year-old Universiti Malaya student manages studies and training",
    "Gold medal marks final Sukma appearance after 2022 disappointment"
  ],
  "editors_take": "Eason's gold medal win despite being coachless and battling financial and academic pressures sets a notable example for self-reliance and determination in competitive sports.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}