Perak’s Adam, the third of four siblings, struck it right to defeat Melaka’s S Praveen, 140-136 at the Petra Jaya Archery Range here.

The teenager said he did not feel any pressure going into the final as he was the underdog and was surprised to win in his first-ever individual final appearance.

“Initially, I was surprised because this is my first Sukma outing…first time in an individual final. I’m more used to competing in team or mixed team events. I was not under pressure (because I’m) still new and people don’t know me.”

“Two weeks before leaving for Kuching, I did not stay at home because I was training at UPSI (Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris) but I mostly trained at my school, the Malaysia Sports School in Pahang,” said the teenager, who was born in Seremban, Negeri Sembilan but lives in Teluk Intan, Perak.

However, Adam, who first took up archery as an eight-year-old, dreams of becoming a pilot.

“For now, (until) I complete my studies at 21, I may continue in archery so that I can compete in Sukma (but) my ambition is to be a pilot. I’m now studying pure science at school,” he said.

Meanwhile, his teammate Abdul Faathir Aqil took the bronze medal after defeating Selangor’s archer Nur Azimi 141-138 in the same category.

Earlier, in the women’s compound archery final, Johor’s Nur Farah Aziera Shamsuddin clinched the gold medal by a single point after beating Penang’s M Pristiswary 138-137 while Pahang’s Safi Qurratu Aini settled for the bronze.

Terengganu and Perak also came out tops in the men’s and women’s compound archery team events, with Terengganu defeating Sabah 226-221 and Perak beating Johor 221-220 in the finals.

The Terengganu men’s team comprised Aiman Syafiq, Amiruddin Zulkifli and Hazmi Aisar while Perak’s women’s team consisted of Fatiha Uzzair, Nur Qurratul Zaqieya, and Puteri Nuryn Jazlina.