In a historic moment for Malaysian athletics, the national barebow men's team set a new world record at the 2026 Barebow Asia Championship held in Shah Alam. The trio of Khairul Anuar Mohamad, Norhisyam Ismail, and Mohd Zaidi Bin Hashim combined for a staggering 1864 points in the 216-arrow 50-metre qualification round. This performance surpassed the previous record of 1846 points held by the United States since 2022.

The record-breaking feat took place at the Shah Alam National Sports Complex, where the Malaysian archers displayed remarkable consistency and precision. Interestingly, second-ranked Vietnam also surpassed the old record with 1855 points, but they were ultimately outshone by the Malaysian team's superior scoring. The new mark is currently pending official ratification by World Archery, but it already stands as a significant milestone for the sport in the region.

This achievement comes amidst a busy period for Malaysian sports, with the National Sports Council (MSN) pledging to deliver more international success following a major budget allocation for 2026. With upcoming events like the Asian Games and the Commonwealth Games on the horizon, record-breaking performances like this are seen as a vital confidence boost for the entire national contingent. The focus now turns to individual events at the championship, where the record-setting trio remains favorites for more podium finishes.