KUALA LUMPUR – The Malaysian rowing team are gearing up to defy the odds and carve out a historic qualification for the Paris Olympic Games in July.
The nation’s hopes rest on two athletes, Arif Ashraf Rusok, competing in the men’s single scull (M1X), and Nurzarinah Zakaria, vying for a spot in the women’s single scull (W1X), at the Asian and Oceanian Continental Qualification Regatta in Chungju, South Korea, scheduled from April 19 to 21.
Malaysian Rowing Association president Norhadi Ishari views this as the prime and final opportunity for Malaysian athletes to secure a berth in Paris.
According to the qualification format for the Paris Olympics, only five slots are allocated for both the men’s and women’s single sculls events from the qualification regatta.
Historically, Malaysia have never seen a rower qualify for the Olympics since the nation’s debut at the 1956 Melbourne Games.
“We’ve previously sent athletes for qualification to the Rio 2016 Olympics, indicating our potential.
“We’ve been planning since last year, and Arif and Nurzarinah have been diligently training since early this year at Universiti Tun Hussein Onn’s (UTHM) Pagoh campus,” said Norhadi.
The UTHM campus provides ideal training conditions, equipped with boats and a water stretch of one to two kilometres, easing the athletes’ training regime.
“While our chances on paper remain viable for the Olympics, our long-term focus is on preparations for the 2025 SEA Games in Thailand,” Norhadi added during the flag-handing ceremony held at the Olympic Council of Malaysia headquarters.
Expressing her excitement, Nurzarinah shared her eagerness to compete in South Korea, marking her debut Olympic-qualification regatta.
“In the past, I participated in the double sculls event, but I’ve recently transitioned to the single sculls.
“Despite this change, I’m leaving no stone unturned in my preparation to deliver outstanding results in Chungju.
“Moreover, overcoming a three-month hiatus due to a right-hand fracture has only fuelled my determination to showcase my abilities once more,” said Nurzarinah. – April 5, 2024