The Malaysian national archery team started their 2026 campaign on a high note at the Asia Cup Stage 1 in Baghdad, Iraq. The recurve men's trio consisting of Muhamad Zarif Syahiir Zolkepeli, Khairul Anuar Mohamad, and Bryson Jawing secured a hard-fought silver medal after a tense final against South Korea. Their performance has been hailed by the National Sports Council as a vital step toward reclaiming Malaysia’s dominance in regional archery and securing points for upcoming world rankings.

In the individual categories, veteran archer Khairul Anuar Mohamad advanced to the semi-finals, demonstrating that he remains a formidable force on the international stage despite the emergence of younger talents. The compound team also showed promise, with the women's duo reaching the quarter-finals before narrowly losing to a top-seeded Indian pair. These results are seen as a positive benchmark for the National Archery Association of Malaysia (NAAM) as they refine their high-performance programs for the 2026 Asian Games later this year.

To further bolster the sport's growth, the Ministry of Youth and Sports has announced additional funding for archery training facilities in Bukit Jalil. This investment will include the installation of advanced wind-simulation technology to help athletes prepare for varying outdoor conditions during international tournaments. As the team returns to Kuala Lumpur, focus will shift to the next stage of the Asia Cup in Thailand, where the squad aims to convert their silver finishes into gold.