MYANMAR’S archery team struck gold at last week’s First Asian Open Compound Archery tournament held at the Kyaikkasan Archery Ground from December 11 to 13.

The nation’s team walked from the tournament with a total of five gold medals and three silvers, which U Kyaw Oo, the secretary of the Myanmar Archery Federation (MAF), says shows great potential for future competitions, including the next SEA Games in Laos.

“Despite the Asian heavyweight archery teams such as South Korean and Philippines not competing in this tournament, there was a lot of experience to be gained by facing the Indian and Malaysian teams.

“It was particularly satisfying to see our female team dominating India in the final and it showed me that the women are more likely to see success than men in the compound category at the SEA Games,” he said.

“But it was pleasing to see e Min Swe come out as the most talented archer in individual events. He finished with a total of 9.5 point shooting 116 arrows to win the goal. He’ll be very tough to beat in the compound categories within Asia. If he manages to perform like this at the Laos SEA Games, I am sure he will get many medals,” said U Kyaw Oo.

A total of five teams travelled to Myanmar to compete in the event, including India, Malaysia, Thailand, China and Sri Lanka.

India took second place on the medal tally claiming one gold, three silvers and four bronze medals, while Thailand finished third with a solitary bronze.
It was the quality of Myanmar’s women’s team that shone through though – they finished with all six gold medals.

Five gold medals were taken by women team, including Aung Ngeain, Hla Hla San and Khin Lay Nu, from the team event, while Aung Ngeain bullseye’d the women’s 70-metre round and Hla Hla San won the women’s individual. Hla Hla San also won a silver in the 70m event, while Aung Ngeain came second in the individual comp.

The two men’s golds were taken by Ye Min Swe from the 70-metre round and the individual event. The men also picked up a silver in the team event courtesy of Ye Min Swe, Khin Maung Win and Paing Paye Phyo.

Myanmar fielded a 10-person team for the event. A total of 27 archers, including 18 men and nine women attended the tournament, the fifth international archery event hosted by Myanmar since 1998.