KUCHING – Discipline plays a crucial role in being an athlete, even from a young age.
Muhammad Haikal Shamsuddin knows this well, having once been reprimanded for arriving late to training.
Today, that discipline has paid off as he emerged as the poster boy of Negeri Sembilan shooting, contributing two gold medals in the men’s 10-metre air rifle individual and team events at the 2024 Malaysia Games (Sukma).
In the individual final at the Sarawak Shooting Range, the 19-year-old secured the gold with a score of 237.2 points, narrowly edging out his teammate Amar Syawal Abdul Mutalib, who finished with 236.8 points. Perak’s Nazirul Iqbal Roszaini took home the bronze with 216.5 points, Bernama reported.
Reflecting on his success, Haikal recalled how his coach, Abdul Mutalib Abdul Razak, had scolded him for being late to training a few years ago—a moment that has stayed with him.
“Alhamdulillah, I am grateful to finally contribute this gold medal to the contingent. It is a very special gift for my coach, whom I consider like a father. He has been training me for more than seven years.
“When I was admonished, I had been late for the 8:30 am training. As a coach, he is very strict and emphasises discipline. Without his guidance, I could not have reached this level,” Haikal shared with reporters.
The Mantin-born shooter also expressed his satisfaction in making up for his bronze medal finish two years ago by clinching the team gold this time around.
Together with Amar Syawal and Muhammad Azman Mohd Ridzuan, Haikal led Negeri Sembilan to victory with a total score of 1,833.8 points, narrowly beating Sarawak for the gold.
The Sarawak trio of Mohd Haziq Fadhil Khalid Fauzan, Adrielend Alexander Roland, and Muhammad Razin Nifail Mohammad Rezza secured the silver medal with 1,827.7 points, while Pahang’s Muhammad Imran Syahmi Mohd Azidi, Hairiz Haiqal Ramlan, and Muhammad Fikhri Hafiy Mohd Fazley took home the bronze with 1,826.6 points. — August 17, 2024