ANN/THE STAR – A practice as ancient as the bow and arrow itself, traditional archery continues to thrive globally due to its simplicity and affordability. Numerous archery groups organise monthly and annual tournaments to keep this ancient sport alive, attracting enthusiasts from all walks of life.
One standout group is led by Wong Woon Woon, a 36-year-old former multimedia designer who embraced traditional Chinese archery several years ago.
Wong’s journey began with his involvement in a cultural society dedicated to promoting ancient Chinese traditions, where archery was part of their practice. His quest for better technique and accuracy led him to seek guidance from seasoned masters of the discipline.
“When I first joined local tournaments, I stuck out like a sore thumb because most traditional archers here are from the Malay community,” Wong recalls.
Encouraged by his Malay peers, who were impressed by his prowess with the Chinese bow, Wong excelled in the sport.
His success inspired his teammates to compete locally, often donning traditional Chinese archery robes and securing top positions in tournaments.
Wong now runs an indoor archery range near Cheras, specialising in traditional Chinese archery. He emphasises the sport’s affordability: “You can get a bow for less than RM100 and a dozen arrows for about the same price,” he says.
In contrast, Olympic Recurve and Compound bow archers may spend ten times more to get started. This low-cost factor makes traditional archery appealing to those who want to try the sport without a significant financial commitment.
Traditional Chinese archery differs from Olympic Recurve and Compound archery in its release technique. “One must master drawing the bow and releasing the arrow using the thumb,” Wong explains.
Though simple to learn, this technique can yield accuracy comparable to other archery disciplines.
In addition to training and reselling traditional Chinese bows, Wong crafts thumb rings as release tools, a passion project that showcases his skills. With a surge in interest, Wong trains a diverse group of archers aged seven to fifty at his indoor range.
Among Wong’s students is Tang Boon Tong, who has won tournaments and attributes his success to Wong’s influence and peer pressure to excel.
“I was captivated by the simplicity and grace of traditional archery and the mastery required to land an accurate shot,” Tang says.
Teacher Chan Yoon Sze, a regular at Wong’s range, took up the sport several years ago and finds it a perfect way to unwind. “I find traditional archery relaxing and get great satisfaction when my arrow hits the mark,” she shares.
Similarly, JC Hoo, a father of two, started archery recently to spend quality time with his children. “I started two months ago. My children were at it much longer and got very good at it,” Hoo says.
After meeting Wong at a local fair where visitors could try shooting a traditional Chinese bow and arrow, he enrolled his children and soon joined them in training.
Wong’s indoor range, On Archery, located in Taman Shamelin Perkasa near Cheras, welcomes enthusiasts of all ages.
As traditional archery continues to gain popularity, Wong’s efforts help preserve this ancient art and inspire a new generation of archers to appreciate its beauty and skill.