Malaysia’s Qabil Ambak has been offered a slot in the Tokyo Olympics after all. Chasing qualification, Qabil, affected by visa issues, looked to have just missed a dressage qualification slot at the Tokyo Olympics. It was heart-breaking, especially because he came so close to making it. The dream over, Qabil returned to Malaysia. Now the dream has been reignited as the FEI has opened up more starting places for individual dressage and individual show jumping.
First reserve for Group VIII in dressage, Qabil has been standing by, hoping for good news. It came this morning. As many eventers have not been able to record the Minimum Eligibility Requirements (MERS) in a Covid and EHV affected year, the FEI decided to offer starting places to the first reserves on the dressage and jumping qualification lists instead.
While Qabil has been in Malaysia, his coach Dennis Fisker has been campaigning his Olympic horse Delatio in Europe and Qatar. Qabil now has under two months to get back to full fitness before the Tokyo Olympics.
EAM President Syed Omar said, “This is not only a milestone for the national sport, but for our country as it is the first time a Malaysian is represented in equestrian events at the Olympics Games.
“The Olympics provides us with a special occasion to unite in so many ways, especially given the global challenges faced amidst the Covid-19 pandemic. We are grateful that all parties have worked together to make the Olympic Games in Tokyo possible.”
“By being part of the Malaysian Olympic squad, Qabil is a role model for the equestrian sport and for all Malaysians. We wish him the greatest success and look forward to cheering him on,” he said.
Eurodressage however reports:
Ambak’s Olympic ticket, however, is not guaranteed as the rider has not competed since December 2019 and not yet achieved his official “Confirmation Result”.
An Athlete/Horse combination that has achieved the MER during the period 1 January 2019 to 31 December 2019 must achieve an additional confirming result (the “Confirmation Result”) during the period 1 January 2020 – 21 June 2021.
A minimum of 66% must be attributed twice to the Athlete/Horse combination by both a 5* star judge and as an average from all judges in the competition, and the score must be achieved in a Grand Prix test at any CDI3*/CDI4*/CDI5*/CDI-W/CDIO event. The 5* judge must be of a nationality other than of the Athlete.
Ambak’s only possibility to achieve this confirmation score is at the final show, the CDI Le Mans, before the cut off date of 21 June 2021.
“This comes very last minute which is only 2 weeks before the 21st (of June) deadline to get the confirmation results and Le mans will be the only show,” Ambak told Eurodressage.
“With the current pandemic situation it is not as easy to just fly to Europe without proper documentation, so I’m asking FEI to give some consideration for special circumstances on ways to do it. Maybe get some 5* judges to assess my riding in Denmark?,” he hopes.
