Pengiran Mohd Nasir bin Pengiran Anak Haji Ja’afar. – HORSEMOVE
BRUNEI Darussalam’s national equestrian athlete Pengiran Mohd Nasir bin Pengiran Anak Ja’afar has been awarded bronze in the individual jumping event of the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Kuala Lumpur last year after Philippines rider Colin Syquia was stripped off his gold medal.
Pengiran Mohd Nasir also created history by becoming the first athlete from Brunei Darussalam to win an equestrian medal in jumping at the SEA Games.
The national athlete and his horse Hunters Canatano Z was upgraded from fourth place to a podium finish after Colin’s horse Adventure ‘E’ was tested positive for a banned substance Clomethiazole, a sedative, during the competition.
International Federation of Equestrian Sports (FEI) suspended Colin and his horse last year after a decision on prohibited substance cases was issued.
Pengiran Mohd Nasir’s result at the SEA Games in Kuang Rawang has also been officially updated in FEI’s website.
The Belgium-based rider, who had a perfect run clearing all hurdles in the final without incurring any penalties, was visibly pleased after receiving the confirmation that he had won bronze.
“Of course, I was very pleased to hear the news especially after the disappointment of coming so close to a medal. Also considering this was one of the toughest SEA Games yet with a field of such strong competitors it makes this achievement that much more special,” said Pengiran Mohd Nasir in an interview with the Bulletin.
The field included a strong contingent from Malaysia with defending champion Sharmini Ratnasingham gunning for a consecutive gold medal.
Despite the casualties of proven riders who failed short of a final berth, the Bruneian still had three medallists from the previous SEA Games for company in addition to those who already enjoyed a podium finish.
Pengiran Mohd Nasir had also trained extensively in Europe in preparation for the major tournament.
“In the end, all the effort and hard work from the team and myself has paid off. Of course winning the medal on the day itself would have been much more special but in the end this result will stay in the record books.”
Six months on after the disappointment of missing out on a podium, the SEA Games bronze is the biggest accomplishment in the national rider’s career.
“Yes, this is indeed perhaps my best performance so far, and this has to be amongst the top highlights, as one as one of my major goals was to win a championship medal at a championship event,” said the newly-awarded bronze medallist.
Medalling at a major competition will significantly increase chances of selection in a higher level tournament especially with the Asian Games in the horizon which will be co-hosted by Jakarta and Palembang in August later this year.
“The Asian Games in Jakarta was always in our plans and with this boost of confidence the team and myself can go into the Games with a strong mind.
“So hopefully all goes well with athlete selection for the Games,” said Pengiran Mohd Nasir who finished 11th in the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou.
Asked if his bronze-winning exploits will lift his confidence, he said, “I always go into any major competition with a confident and positive mind whether or not my previous results were good or bad.
“Like we say a lot in this sport you’re only as good as your last round, and tomorrow is a new day. So I always keep myself positive.
“A big thanks to all those support me all this way and especially to my family, and team! Without them, none of this would be possible,” the national rider said.
Meanwhile, Sharmini has been confirmed a successful defence of her win in Singapore after her silver position was elevated to gold while team-mate Mohd Qabil Ambak Dato’ Sri Mahamad Fathil was upgraded to silver.
