Haziq aspired to win medal at Tokyo Olympics - Coach

KAJANG: National archer Haziq Kamaruddin, who passed away this morning, had expressed his desire to win a medal at the Tokyo Olympics this year, says national coach Lee Jae-Hyung.

He said Haziq was determined to qualify for the Olympics and bring home a medal this time around after twice failing to get on the podium in the world's biggest sporting event.

The South Korean who has coached Haziq since 2011 said the latter's departure came as a shock to him.

"Before Raya, Haziq had a discussion with me. He really wanted to try to qualify and win a medal this time. I was truly shocked (by the news of his death)" he said in fluent Malay when met by reporters at the Kajang Hospital here, today.

Haziq was reported unconscious at about 8 am today before being rushed to hospital and pronounced dead at 9.37 am.

SPORTS-ARCHERY (LEE) 2 (LAST) KAJANG

Meanwhile, National Archery Association of Malaysia (NAAM) president Datuk Abdul Hamid Hasan described Haziq as a dedicated and committed athlete.

"All of us feel deep sorrow and offer our condolences to the family and wife of the deceased. We feel it is a huge loss, although we can get a replacement, it's hard to find someone like Haziq.

"He was supposed to participate in the final Olympic qualifying tournament in France on June 16 in an effort to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics," he said.

Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) president Tan Sri Mohamad Norza Zakaria, who was also at the hospital said, despite his young age, Haziq was an experienced athlete who had done a lot for the country.

"We appreciate Haziq's invaluable contribution to the country, especially in archery. Our athletes are actually unsung heroes who often make sacrifices without complaint, and never give up in their quest to make their country proud," he said.

During his decade representing the country, Haziq won the gold medal at the 2011 Asian Grand Prix in Laos and bronze at the 2019 Asian Cup in the Philippines, as well as four gold and two silver medals in individual and team events at the SEA Games from 2011 to 2019.

-- BERNAMA