KUCHING, Balancing academics and training as an athlete isn't easy, but Joey Tan Xing Lei from Sarawak can afford a broad smile after winning the gold medal in the women's 70-meter recurve event at the 2024 Malaysia Games (SUKMA). In the event held today at the Petrajaya Archery Range here, the 17-year-old athlete proved unstoppable, amassing 645 points after 72 arrows, leaving her competitors far behind. Selangor's, Nur Ieka Hariesya Zainal Habsahli, secured the silver medal with 629 points, while Terengganu's Nurul Syakirah Hashim took the bronze with 610 points. This victory marks her successful defense of the gold medal she won in the same event at the Kuala Lumpur SUKMA 2022. 'Actually, this year I will be sitting for SPM, so I don't have much time for training due to the tight schedule, and it's not easy. I was scared and under pressure because I got a good result in the last SUKMA. 'So after releasing the 72 arrows, I felt relieved to have won the gold medal. I want to thank everyone, especially my coach and my family, for this achievement,' she said. Meanwhile, in the men's 70-meter recurve competition, the gold medal went to Terengganu's Muhammad Saiful Islam Mohd Rizuwan, who shot 656 points. Pahang's Muhammad Haiqal Danish Syamsul Affandi who also shot 656 points had to settle for the silver, after judges decided the winner by differentiating precise shots by both archers (advantage for archer who shoots arrow closer to bulls eye). Liew Yu Jie from Sarawak settled for the bronze. Source: BERNAMA News Agency