Qabil Ambak Fathil’s hopes of winning Malaysia’s first-ever Asian Games gold medal in equestrian received a tremendous boost when he came out tops in the dressage individual qualifying round in Jakarta on Monday.
Competing in his fifth Asian Games campaign, Qabil is bidding to add to his collection of two silver and four bronze medals since his debut as an 18-year-old in 1998.
Riding the gelding Rosenstolz, Qabil topped the list of 27 competitors with a score of 74.881 per cent.
“This qualifying round is important to make a good impression on the judges and the score was quite high too,” self-financed Qabil told Astro Arena. “If you get a low score here, then it will be tough going into the next round.”
Qabil, who has won two dressage individual bronze medals in 2006 and 2010, continues his bid for the elusive gold medal tomorrow from where the top 12 advance to the final round on Thursday.
Malaysia did not win any medals on the second day of competition to add to Yap Khim Wen’s bronze in taekwondo on Sunday.
However, the sepak takraw squad are assured of a medal after reaching the semi-finals following Thailand’s 3-0 win over South Korea in the men’s team regu pool stage.
Wushu exponent Tan Cheong Min missed out on the podium in the women’s nanquan-nandao combined event after slipping from her overnight second position to fourth.