AWARDS: Chu Sian, Suryani Simply The Best

SUCH is his humility that Cheng Chu Sian was surprised when he became the first archer to collect the men's 2011 Olympian of the Year award at the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) Arena in Kuala Lumpur last night.

  Nur Suryani Taibi became only the second shooter in history, after Nurul Huda Baharin in 1998, to take the women's award, courtesy of her double gold medal feat in the Sea Games.

The 25-year-old Chu Sian, from Kuala Lumpur, was a surprise winner, voted by the panel ahead of diver Bryan Nickson Lomas and quadruple Sea Games gold medal-winning bowler Adrian Ang.

Chu Sian, who won the individual and team recurve gold medals at the Sea Games, said he was surprised by the panel's decision.

"I can't believe I won and this has taken me by surprise. I can't say much except that we started the year strongly and finished well too," said Chu Sian.

"Next year is a big year for us with the Olympics. I can only hope to do my best and I'm not expecting anything."

Nur Suryani was also a surprise winner.

She beat the likes of cyclist Fatehah Mustapa, who won gold medals in the women's 200m sprint, 500m time trial and team sprint at the Sea Games, and the synchronised swimming duo of Shareen Png and Katrina Ann Abdul Hadi who swept all five gold medals on offer in their events at the Sea Games.

Nur Suryani won two individual gold medals at the Sea Games -- in the 10m air rifle and 50m rifle three positions. By Arnaz M. Khairul and Devinder Singh

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