PETALING JAYA, May 11 — Compound archery coach Adnan Ahmad hopes the World Cup stage 1 in Shanghai last week was an eye opener to the powers that be.

Often sidelined in favour of the Olympics-contested recurve event, the women’s compound team comprising — Fatin Nurfatehah Mat Salleh, Nor Rizah Ishak and Saritha Cham Nong — stole the limelight in stunning world No. 1 the United States to win the gold medal for the first time.

The trio only contested in Shanghai in preparation for the SEA Games in Singapore next month. It was also their second appearance at a World Cup.

“We didn’t expect gold. We came here hoping our archers gain valuable experience because we usually don’t get chances like this,” said Adnan. “I hope we get more chances like this. I’m not sure if we will compete in the other three World Cup stages later this year.”

The World Cup is held over four stages before the Grand Finals in Mexico City in October. The following stages are in Antalya, Turkey (this month); Wroclaw, Poland (August); and Medellin, Columbia (September).

Malaysia never won gold in the World Cup series. The recurve archers finished runners-up four times since 2008. Malaysia also won a silver through Khairul Anuar Mohamad in the individual recurve in 2011. 

Compound archery was only included in the National Sports Council programme in January under the SEA Games programme. The archers’ equipment were self purchased.

“We only come together when preparing for Games. Otherwise everyone is at their respective states doing their own thing... even myself. I’m just an ad-hoc coach. For now, we could be based in Bukit Jalil until we leave for Singapore,” he said.

“The team looks consistent and I hope this form is carried into the Games.

“The World Cup could be the tonic we needed after playing bridesmaid in both the men and women’s category for the last three times.”