Sukma: Selangor’s Ayzek eyes 3 petanque gold for last hurrah

SHAH ALAM (Aug 9): Selangor petanque athlete Ayzek Hakimi Safingan is eyeing three gold medals in his last appearance for the state at the 21st Malaysia Games (Sukma XXI) in Sarawak.

Ayzek Hakimi, 21, said the three gold medals are targeted to come through shooting, singles and team events and that he and his team-mates are intensifying their training to make the dream come true at the biennial games starting on Aug 17.

“Personally, I want gold in the three events and what I am most confident of is the shooting event… Now I am doubling my training to collect gold medals in the other events,” he told Bernama.

The player, who represented the country at the Vietnam and Cambodia SEA Games, said his experience has put him in good stead to face the contenders from Kelantan, Terengganu, Johor and Pahang.

Ayzek Hakimi said the Selangor team is also lined up with national athletes as well as senior and experienced players who can challenge his chances of realising his ultimate dream of scooping three gold medals.

Ayzek Hakimi, who was given the responsibility to be flag bearer of the Selangor contingent in Sarawak, said the 21st Sukma is exceptional for him as he hopes to win as many medals as possible with the other athletes to realise Selangor’s ambition of finishing overall top three at the Games.

“This Sukma is very special to me and I hope everyone can perform well not only for themselves and the state, but also for parents who have supported their sports career up to this point,” he said.

At Sukma this time, the sport of petanque offers a total of 13 gold medals through the shooting, singles, doubles, triples, triples mixed and team events.

In this edition, Selangor, which will participate in all 37 sports contested and aiming for 61 gold medals, are sending a contingent of 1,050 individuals (704 athletes, 213 officials and 133 team secretariats). – Bernama