TOKYO: It was a Super Saturday, after all.
It may have taken nine long days but the Malaysian contingent finally got their hands on the country's first medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games through Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik in the men's doubles badminton event.
It may not be the glitter of gold that every Malaysian is craving for, but the bronze won by Aaron-Wooi Yik is just as meaningful, given the country's medal drought after several medal hopes had fallen by the wayside.
Among them being men's singles shuttler Lee Zii Jia, who crashed out in the last 16, and divers Pandelela Rinong-Leong Mun Yee in the women's 10m platform synchronised event.
With the hopes of an entire nation squarely on their shoulders, Aaron-Wooi Yik did not disappoint as they bounced back spiritedly to tame Indonesia's Mohammad Ahsan-Hendra Setiawan 17-21, 21-17, 21-14 in a thrilling bronze medal match at the Musashino Forest Sport Plaza here today.
Earlier in the afternoon, there was joy over at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre when national diver Nur Dhabitah Sabri stayed on the medal trail after qualifying for the final of the women's 3-metre (m) springboard individual event.
The 22-year-old steadily moved up the standings from ninth place after the first dive to secure sixth spot overall after five dives for a total of 312.60 points in today's semi-finals.
Only the top 12 out of the field of 18 divers qualified for the final, scheduled to start at 3 pm local time (2 pm Malaysian time) on Sunday (Aug 1).
At the Kasumigaseki Country Club, national golfer Gavin Green did well to card a one-under 70 score in the third round but still continued to occupy the bottom three spots.
The 27-year-old, who scored a three-over 74 and one-over 72 in the first two rounds respectively, carded five birdies and four bogeys today for a three-over 216 total to be tied with Puerto Rico's Rafael Campos (73-73-70) in 58th spot out of 60 golfers
Four-time Professional Golfers' Association (PGA) Tour winner Xander Schauffele of the United States carded a three-under 68 to top the leaderboard with a 14-under 199 total.
The final round on Sunday (Aug 1) is set to start at 7.30 am local time (6.30 am Malaysian time).
Meanwhile, national archer Khairul Anuar Mohamad's Tokyo Olympic campaign ended today when he fell 6-0 to South Korean Kim Woojin in the third round of the men's recurve individual event.
The Terengganu-born could not match the precision of world number five and former world champion Woojin, who scored 30-29-30 in the three sets. The Malaysian had a three-set score of 27-27-29.
National shooter Nur Suryani Mohamed Taibi's challenge in the women's 50m rifle three positions event at the Asaka Shooting Range came to an abrupt end today when she could only finish in 34th spot in the qualifying round.
The 38-year-old could only accumulate a total of 1,142 points, which is a far cry from her national record of 1,172 points and her unofficial personal record of 1,182 points, which she did at the final training session before leaving for Tokyo.
Only the top eight out of the 37 shooters qualify for the final.
This is Nur Suryani's second Olympic outing after grabbing the attention of global sports fans at the 2012 London edition as she competed in the women's 10m air rifle event despite being eight months pregnant.
Meanwhile, over at the Enoshima Yacht Harbour, national sailors Nuraisyah Jamil and Juni Karimah Noor Jamali, who are in 20th position out of 21 contestants in the women's International 470 event after accumulating 91 net points today, will continue with Race Seven and Race Eight on Sunday (Aug 1).
-- BERNAMA
Bernama
Sat Jul 31 2021
It may have taken nine long days but the Malaysian contingent finally got their hands on the country's first medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games through Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik in the men's doubles badminton event. - astro arena pic
The battle to reduce road deaths
In Malaysia, over half a million road accidents have been recorded so far this year.
Pro-Palestinian NGOs seek court order to stop Dutch arms exports to Israel
The Dutch state, as a signatory to the 1948 Genocide Convention, has a duty to take all reasonable measures at its disposal to prevent genocide.
How quickly can Trump's Musk-led efficiency panel slash US regulations?
Moves by Trump and his appointees to eliminate existing rules will be met with legal challenges, as many progressive groups and Democratic officials have made clear.
2TM: Consultations on PTPTN loans, admission to IPTA at MOHE booth
Consultations on PTPTN loans and admission to IPTA are among services provided at the Higher Education Ministry booth.
Kampung Tanjung Kala residents affected by flooded bridge every time it rains heavily
Almost 200 residents from 60 homes in Kampung Tanjung Kala have ended up stuck when their 200-metre (m) long concrete bridge flooded.
COP29 climate summit draft proposes rich countries pay $250 billion per year
The draft finance deal criticised by both developed and developing nations.
Bomb squad sent to London's Gatwick Airport after terminal evacuation
This was following the discovery of a suspected prohibited item in luggage.
Kelantan urges caution amidst northeast monsoon rains
Kelantan has reminded the public in the state to refrain from outdoor activities with the arrival of the Northeast Monsoon season.
Former New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern receives UN leadership award
Former New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern was given a global leadership award by the United Nations Foundation.
ICC'S arrest warrants for Netanyahu, Gallant an apt decision - PM
The decision of the ICC to issue arrest warrants against Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant is apt, said Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
KTMB provides two additional ETS trains for Christmas, school holidays
KTMB will provide two additional ETS trains for the KL Sentral-Padang Besar route and return trips in conjunction with the holidays.
BNM'S international reserves rise to USD118 bil as at Nov 15, 2024
Malaysia's international reserves rose to US$118.0 billion as at Nov 15, 2024, up from US$117.6 billion on Oct 30, 2024.
Findings by dark energy researchers back Einstein's conception of gravity
The findings announced are part of a years-long study of the history of the cosmos focusing upon dark energy.
NRES responds to Rimbawatch press release on COP29
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES) wishes to offer the following clarifications to the issues raised.
Online Safety Bill and Anti-Cyberbullying Laws must carefully balance rights and protections
The Online Safety Advocacy Group (OSAG) stands united with people in Malaysia in the fight against serious online harms.
Malaysia's inflation at 1.9 pct in Oct 2024 - DOSM
Malaysia's inflation rate for October 2024 has increased to 1.9 per cent, up from 1.8 per cent in September this year.
Saudi Arabia showcases Vision 2030 goals at Airshow China 2024
For the first time, Saudi Arabia is participating in the China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition held recently in Zhuhai.
King Charles' coronation cost GBP 71mil, govt accounts show
The coronation of Britain's King Charles cost taxpayers GBP72 million (US$90 million), official accounts have revealed.
Couple and associate charged with trafficking 51.9 kg of meth
A married couple and a man were charged in the Magistrate's Court here today with trafficking 51.974 kilogrammes of Methamphetamine.
PDRM to consult AGC in completing Teoh Beng Hock investigation
The police may seek new testimony from existing witnesses for additional insights into the investigation of Teoh Beng Hock's death.