SEA Games: Hafizuddin’s Early Exit Ends Petanque Gold Defence

From Ahmad Nazrin Syahmi Mohamad Arif

BANGKOK, Dec 10 (Bernama) -- The national petanque squad failed to defend their SEA Games gold medal after securing only a bronze on the opening day of the 33rd edition of the biennial meet held at Valaya Alongkorn Rajabhat University today.

Hopes of seeing Muhamad Hafizuddin Mat Daud repeat Malaysia’s gold-medal success in the men’s singles event achieved in 2023 in Cambodia, were dashed, after he bowed out in the early rounds and missed a place in the semi-finals.

Malaysia’s misfortune continued when Mohamad Nuzul Azwan Ahmad Temizi fell short in the men’s shooting semi-finals after losing to Indonesia’s Topan Satria 37-39, forcing him to settle for bronze.

National coach Wahadhir Hamdan said opponents displayed balanced strength and consistent performance, making this year’s competition more intense than previous editions.

“Our chance (for gold) is still open, especially in the men’s and women’s doubles. We also have opportunities in the mixed events.

“For today’s competition, there is some disappointment, but for this edition, our focus is more on the (mixed) triples,” he told Bernama here today.

Meanwhile, Muhamad Hafizuddin, who won the men’s singles gold at the 2017 Kuala Lumpur edition, took full responsibility for failing to defend Malaysia’s gold.

“I blame myself because I was slow to adapt to the court conditions and match atmosphere.

“This failure is disappointing because after spending so much time (preparing), I return empty-handed, unable to contribute anything to petanque and my family,” said the 33-year-old athlete.

For the record, Saiful Bahri Musmin delivered the gold medal in the men’s singles event in the last edition, which was also the national team’s only gold then.

The national petanque squad will continue their mission to secure four medals at the Thailand SEA Games 2025 as they compete in the men’s and women’s doubles and the mixed doubles on Friday.

-- BERNAMA