Two Team Bronzes, One Gold Medal Final — Malaysia Ends Penultimate Day on a High in Bangkok

Malaysia’s national archery squad capped a memorable penultimate day at the 2026 Asia Cup–World Ranking Tournament Stage I in Bangkok, securing two team bronze medals and setting up three individual medal matches on the final day tomorrow, 26 March. The tournament, organised by World Archery Asia (WAAsia) from 21 to 28 March 2026, draws teams from across the continent competing for crucial world ranking points.

With finals day still to come, Malaysia already has two confirmed team bronzes in the bag and one individual finalist in the gold medal match — making this one of the country’s strongest continental showings in recent memory.

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Recurve Men Team: Bronze Secured

The recurve men’s trio of Evan Rich Chong, Muhammad Haiqal Danish Syamsul Affandi, and Quik Chern Xin claimed the bronze medal in the team event, finishing 3rd overall. India and Kazakhstan will contest the gold medal in tomorrow’s final. On the individual front, Evan Rich Chong has one more arrow to shoot — he faces Kirill Batuev of AIN in the bronze medal match on finals day, with a chance to add a personal medal to Malaysia’s haul.

Recurve Women: So Close to the Podium

The recurve women’s team of Joey Tan Xing Lei, Ku Ruzaini Ku Nurin Afiqah, and Fadzil Fairuz Nur Arissa Najlaa finished 4th after falling to India in the bronze medal match — a gutting result that nonetheless reflects genuine competitiveness at the top of the Asian field. Ku Ruzaini Ku Nurin Afiqah earned a 5th-place finish in the individual standings. Joey Tan, however, is not done — she faces Liu Xin of China in the recurve women’s individual bronze medal match tomorrow, keeping Malaysia’s medal prospects firmly alive.

Compound Women: Fatin Nurfatehah Mat Salleh into the Gold Medal Final

The headline result of the day belongs to Fatin Nurfatehah Mat Salleh, who has advanced all the way to the gold medal final in the individual compound women’s event. She will face Arina Cherkezova of AIN in what promises to be the centrepiece match of finals day. It is an extraordinary achievement for the Malaysian compound ace. In the team event, the trio of Fatin Nurfatehah Mat Salleh, Aina Syazwana Abdul Muhaimin, and Ng Sui Kim defeated Thailand in the bronze medal match to claim 3rd place — with India and Kazakhstan set to contest the team gold tomorrow. Aina Syazwana also finished a commendable 6th in the individual standings.

Compound Men: Mohd Juwaidi Leads the Pack

Malaysia’s compound men gave a creditable account in a field dominated by India, who swept all four top individual spots. Mohd Juwaidi Mazuki was the best-placed Malaysian, finishing joint 6th. Mohamad Syafiq Md Ariffin and Muhammad Aiman Syafiq Mohd Tariki placed 11th and 14th respectively, while Alang Ariff Aqil Muhammad Ghazalli came in 19th. In the team rankings, Malaysia’s compound men finished 5th overall.

🏹 Record-Breaking Feats — History Made in Bangkok

Beyond the medals and match results, Bangkok will be remembered as a landmark occasion for Malaysian compound archery — with national records tumbling in the qualification round. The compound women’s trio of Fatin Nurfatehah Mat Salleh, Aina Syazwana Abdul Muhaimin, and Ng Sui Kim combined for a team qualifying score of 2075, shattering the previous national record of 2068 set in Singapore last year. It was a collective statement of intent from a squad that has grown into one of Asia’s most formidable compound women’s teams.

Individually, Fatin Nurfatehah Mat Salleh matched the heights of her own illustrious career, equalling her personal national record with a qualifying score of 702 points — a mark she first set at the Hyundai Archery World Cup in Paris in 2023. That she replicated it on the continental stage, in the heat of a world ranking tournament, speaks volumes about the consistency and composure she has brought to Bangkok all week.

Finals Day Preview — 26 March 2026

Three Malaysian athletes have bronze or gold medal matches to contest on the final day. Fatin Nurfatehah Mat Salleh goes for gold against Arina Cherkezova (AIN) in compound women. Evan Rich Chong faces Kirill Batuev (AIN) for the recurve men’s bronze. Joey Tan Xing Lei takes on Liu Xin (CHN) for the recurve women’s bronze. Malaysia enters finals day with genuine medal prospects across all three individual contests.