AMAZING GRACE

Sarawak lass breaks own national record at the Malaysian Athletics Grand Prix

NATIONAL hammer thrower Grace Wong (pic) received a massive boost ahead of this year’s Vietnam Sea Games by setting a new national record at the Malaysian Athletics Grand Prix.

The Sarawak-born’s 62.48m effort improved her own national record of 60.99m, set in South Korea in 2017, at the National Sports Council (NSC) Training Track in Bukit Jalil yesterday.

The 21-year-old, whose last meet was the 2019 Philippines Sea Games, recorded 60.19m and 59.52m in her opening two throws.

She surprised herself with a final throw of 62.48m.

Grace now hopes to regain her Sea Games gold medal, which she won at the 2017 Kuala Lumpur edition, in Hanoi this year.

At the 2019 edition, she finished second behind Thailand’s Mingkamon Koomphon.

Understandably, Grace was thrilled with her achievement as she had improved her record by 1.49 metres in her first competition in 16 months.

“I can’t ask for a better return to competition. It is my first event in more than a year. It was humid here, but it did not affect my form as I threw as far as I could,” said the bubbly lass in Bukit Jalil yesterday.

“I started well by doing 60.19m in my first throw and knew that I could break the record as I had recorded more than 62 metres in training. With this, I have also qualified for this year’s Sea Games. Of course, I am confident as my new national record is better than Mingkamon’s 55.99m effort at the 2019 edition.”

Meanwhile, Lee Hup Wei suffered a setback as he managed only 2.05m in the men’s high jump.

The 34-year-old was about to attempt 2.11m when his left spike tore. He did not have spare spikes and thus did not continue.

Eizlan Dahalan won the gold on countback.

Arsyad Saat upstaged national sprinter Jonathan Nyepa to win the men’s 100m final in 10.64s.

Jonathan (10.70s) finished second while Azeem Fahmi (10.85s) took third.

“I need to work harder as my target is to make the Sea Games team,” said Arsyad, who needs to clock 10.42s to qualify for the Sea Games.

RESULTS

Men’s 100m: 1 Arsyad Saat (Joh) 10.64sec, 2 Jonathan Nyepa (Sar) 10.70, 3 Azeem Fahmi (Prk) 10.85;

800m: 1 Wan Fazri Wan Zahari (Kel) 1:55.82, 2 Avinasher Austin (Sel) 1:56.44, 3 Anas Ariffin (Kel) 1:57.03;

Hammer: 1 Jackie Wong (Sar) 66.47m, 2 Sadat Marzuqi Ajisan (NS) 59.94m, 3 Farm Loong Deng (Joh) 19.53m;

High jump: 1 Eizlan Dahalan (Sab) 2.05m (on countback), 2 Lee Hup Wei (Sel) 2.05m, 3 Norshafiee Shah (Joh) 1.96m;

Long jump: 1 Abdul Latif Romly (Per) 7.40m, 2 Luqman Hakim Ramlan (KL) 7.32m, 3 Zulkifle Abdullah (Per) 6.63m;

Pole vault: 1 Iskandar Alwi (Joh) 4.85m, 2 Naufal Sharul Afzam (Joh) 4.45m, 3 Aiman Suffian Bahrizal (Joh) 3.55m.

Women’s 100m: 1 Azreen Nabila Alias (Ter) 12.00, 2 S. Komalam Shally (Prk) 12.01, 3 Siti Fatimah Mohamad (Joh) 12.12;

800m: 1 Savinder Kaur (Sel) 2:14.23, 2 J. Padhmaloshini (Joh) 2:25.73, 3 V. Shankari (Sel) 2:51.22;

H a m m er : 1 Grace Wong (Swk) 62.48m (NR), 2 Nurul Hidayah Lukman (Sel) 49.98m, 3 Eng May Xin Winnie (KL) 17.95m;

Triple jump: 1 R. Kirthana (Prk) 13.21m (MR), 2 Nurul Ashikin Abbas (Prk) 13.00m, 3 Nur Fatin Najiha Aziz (Joh) 11.55m.