KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysian compound archer Fatin Nurfatehah Mat Salleh’s lifelong Olympic dream has been reignited following the inclusion of her event in the Los Angeles 2028 Games.
The 33-year-old from Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, has represented Malaysia for nearly two decades, but until now, her event was never part of the Olympic programme.
That changed last week when the International Olympic Committee (IOC) confirmed the mixed team compound archery event would be contested for the first time at LA28.
“Happy, excited and honestly shocked because compound was added at the last minute,” she said.
“It’s truly incredible news, especially for the compound archery community. This announcement gives us new energy because as athletes, we’ve always dreamed of becoming Olympians.”
Fatin was speaking after the IOC announcement, calling the decision a turning point in her life — both as an athlete and as someone who never gave up hope.
“Before this, it felt pointless to dream about the Olympics because compound wasn’t part of it. Now that it is, I truly hope to qualify and contribute a medal for the country,” she told Bernama.
Throughout her career, Fatin has trained and competed at the highest levels — including World Cup and SEA Games appearances — but was often met with questions about why she wasn’t at the Olympics.
“After this, when people ask me about the Olympics, I can finally say I will try my best to qualify and prepare for it,” she said.
Fatin is a former World Cup gold medallist, having helped Malaysia win the women’s team title in Shanghai in 2015. She also claimed a bronze medal in the mixed team event in Antalya in 2023, alongside teammate Mohd Juwaidi Mazuki.
Earlier this year, she won gold with Alang Arif Aqil Muhammad Ghazalli in the mixed team compound at the 2025 Asia Cup in Bangkok — a result that now carries added significance.
“It’s going to be tough because we don’t even know the qualifying system yet,” she said.
“But what I can say now is that preparation can finally begin. We have around three years to get ready for LA28.”
Malaysia has previously qualified recurve archers for the Olympics, including three for the upcoming Paris 2024 Games.
With compound now added to the Olympic programme, Fatin and her peers finally have their shot. — April 13, 2025