Haziq Kamaruddin
Malaysian recurve archer and two-time Olympian.
Haziq Kamaruddin was a Malaysian sport archer who competed in the recurve men's team event. He was a two-time Olympian, representing Malaysia at the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Olympic Games, and participated in four World Archery Championships from 2011 to 2017.
Quick Facts
- Full Name
- Haziq bin Kamaruddin
- Nationality
- Malaysian
- Birth Date
- 1993-07-04
- Birth Place
- Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
- Death Date
- 2021-05-14
- Death Place
- Kajang, Selangor, Malaysia
- Resting Place
- Taman Koperasi Serkam Darat Cemetery, Merlimau, Melaka
- Sport
- Archery
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Haziq Kamaruddin was born in Johor Bahru, Johor, the son of Kamaruddin Yusof. He studied at the University of Malaya and married Shahira Abdul Halim; the couple had no children. His archery career included competing in the recurve men's team event at the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Olympic Games, as well as four World Archery Championships from 2011 to 2017. He won gold medals at the 2011 Asian Archery Championships in Tehran and the 2011 Asian Grand Prix in Laos, and a bronze at the 2019 Asia Cup in the Philippines. In the SEA Games from 2011 to 2019, he earned four gold and two silver medals in both individual and team events. Haziq was named recipient of the Johor Athlete Award 2011. Together with Cheng Chu Sian and Khairul Anuar Mohamad, he formed the Malaysia men's archery team honored as the National Men's Team of the Year in the National Sports Awards 2011. He and national diving athlete Pandelela Rinong were respectively named the Bukit Jalil Sports School Sportsman and Sportswoman for 2012. In 2013, he was named Best Young Athlete at the 2012 Sportswriters Association of Malaysia (SAM)-100PLUS Award.
Reader's Guide
Haziq Kamaruddin's significance lies in his achievements as a Malaysian recurve archer on the international stage. He was a two-time Olympian, competing in London 2012 and Rio 2016, and participated in four World Archery Championships from 2011 to 2017. His medal record includes gold at the 2011 Asian Archery Championships in Tehran and the 2011 Asian Grand Prix in Laos, as well as a bronze at the 2019 Asia Cup in the Philippines. In the SEA Games from 2011 to 2019, he accumulated four gold and two silver medals across individual and team events. His legacy also includes being part of the Malaysia men's archery team that was named National Men's Team of the Year in 2011, alongside Cheng Chu Sian and Khairul Anuar Mohamad. He received the Johor Athlete Award 2011 and was named Bukit Jalil Sports School Sportsman for 2012. His death at age 27 on 14 May 2021, after collapsing following subuh prayer on the second day of Hari Raya Aidilfitri, sparked public speculation linking it to COVID-19 or vaccination, but the Ministry of Health later stated that post-mortem results showed death was due to complications from clogged heart blood vessels from coronary artery atherosclerosis, and that his body tested negative for COVID-19.
Career & International Achievements
Haziq Kamaruddin built a distinguished career as a recurve archer representing Malaysia on the international stage. His Olympic journey spanned two Games: he competed in the archery events at both London 2012 and Rio 2016, making him a two-time Olympian for his country. Beyond the Olympics, he earned a spot at the World Archery Championships on four separate occasions between 2011 and 2017, demonstrating sustained consistency at the highest level of the sport. His continental achievements were equally notable. In 2011, he claimed gold at the Asian Archery Championships held in Tehran and also took the top spot at the Asian Grand Prix in Laos. In 2019, he secured a bronze medal at the Asia Cup in the Philippines. At the Southeast Asian level, Haziq was a dominant force, accumulating four gold medals and two silver medals across both individual and team events at the SEA Games over an eight-year span from 2011 through 2019. As a core member of Malaysia's recurve men's team, he brought home collective honours that underscored his importance to the national squad.
Personal Life & Background
Haziq Kamaruddin was born on 4 July 1993 in Johor Bahru, Johor. He was the son of Kamaruddin Yusof, and his early life in the state of Johor set the stage for a career that would carry him to the world's biggest sporting events. His academic path led him to the University of Malaya, where he pursued his higher education alongside his demanding training schedule as a national archer. Balancing university coursework with the rigours of elite competition required a level of discipline that few athletes manage, yet Haziq accomplished both. In his personal life, Haziq married Shahira Abdul Halim. The couple did not have children together. His wife's family was rooted in Merlimau, Melaka, a connection that would later play a role in the final arrangements following his passing. At the time of his death, Haziq was living in Kajang, where he maintained his home. His life, though tragically brief at 27 years of age, was defined by a quiet but persistent dedication to both his education and his sport. That dual commitment carried him from the archery range in Johor to the Olympic stadiums of London and Rio, and across multiple continental competitions where he consistently stood on the podium.
Recognition & National Honours
Throughout his competitive career, Haziq Kamaruddin received numerous formal recognitions that reflected both his individual excellence and his contribution to Malaysian team sport. In 2011, he was selected as the recipient of the Johor Athlete Award, a state-level honour acknowledging his outstanding performances that year, which included his gold medals at the Asian Archery Championships and the Asian Grand Prix. That same year, Haziq was part of a broader national celebration. Together with fellow archers Cheng Chu Sian and Khairul Anuar Mohamad, he formed the Malaysia men's archery team that was named National Men's Team of the Year at the National Sports Awards 2011. This team-level recognition highlighted the collective strength of Malaysian archery during that period. His individual standing continued to grow. In 2012, Haziq was named the Bukit Jalil Sports School Sportsman of the Year, a distinction shared in category with national diving star Pandelela Rinong, who received the equivalent Sportswoman honour. The following year, in 2013, he was awarded the title of Best Young Athlete at the Sportswriters Association of Malaysia (SAM)-100PLUS Award, a recognition specifically tied to his 2012 performances. These accolades collectively painted a picture of an athlete at the peak of his development, widely respected by both the sporting establishment and the media.
Sudden Death & Aftermath
On the morning of 14 May 2021, Haziq Kamaruddin collapsed at his home in Kajang shortly after performing the subuh prayer on the second day of Hari Raya Aidilfitri. He was rushed to Kajang Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 9:37 am. He was 27 years old. The circumstances of his passing ignited intense speculation on social media. Because Haziq had received his second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine on 4 May 2021 as part of a programme for athletes and officials preparing for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, many online voices linked his death to either the vaccine or a possible COVID-19 infection. The National Sports Council clarified that his body tested negative for the virus. His body was transported to Merlimau, Melaka, his wife's hometown, where prayers were held at Surau Al-Taqwa. Burial took place at the Taman Koperasi Serkam Darat Cemetery at 1:40 am, conducted in accordance with the standard operating procedures of the ongoing Movement Control Order. The Ministry of Health issued a statement confirming that Haziq's death was unrelated to COVID-19 or its vaccination. The post-mortem revealed the cause to be complications arising from clogged heart blood vessels due to coronary artery atherosclerosis.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Haziq Kamaruddin?
Haziq Kamaruddin was a Malaysian recurve archer born in Johor Bahru in 1993 who went on to represent his country at the highest level of international competition. He is remembered as a two-time Olympian and a steady presence in Malaysia's men's team archery squad.
What events did Haziq Kamaruddin compete in?
He focused on the recurve discipline and took part in the men's team event at both the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Olympic Games. Beyond the Olympics, he also featured in four World Archery Championships between 2011 and 2017.
How many Olympic Games did Haziq Kamaruddin attend?
He competed at two Olympic Games, debuting in London in 2012 and returning for Rio de Janeiro in 2016. In both instances he was a member of Malaysia's recurve men's team.
How did Haziq Kamaruddin pass away?
Haziq died on 14 May 2021, just weeks before his 28th birthday, leaving behind his wife Shahira Abdul Halim. His untimely passing at age 27 was a profound loss to the Malaysian archery community.
Why is Haziq Kamaruddin important to Malaysian archery?
As a two-time Olympian and four-time World Championship competitor, he was a cornerstone of Malaysia's recurve team program throughout the 2010s. His consistent presence on the world stage helped keep Malaysian archery visible at the elite level.
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