HAIL THE NEW QUEEN OF DISCUS

Queenie wins appeal, sets new national record

DISCUS thrower Queenie Ting had a happy ending after going through a roller coaster of emotions at the Malaysian Athletics Grand Prix.

Queenie broke the national record with an effort of 48.56m in her sixth and final throw at the National Sports Council (NSC) Training Track in Bukit Jalil yesterday.

Her sixth throw fell just outside of the right sector line, and the official carried the red flag to indicate it was a foul.

But her coach Ali Hamid, who recorded her throw, claimed that the sector line was not straight, and that the official was wrong to rule it as a ‘no throw’.

National chief coach Manshahar Abdul Jalil paid the appeal fee of RM200, and after deliberating, the Appeal Jury found the sector line was not straight, and Queenie’s attempt stood.

As a result, the 24-year-old’s attempt set a new national record, previously held by Choo Kang Ni, who recorded 47.91m at the 2017 Kuala Lumpur Sea Games.

Queenie's tears of despair turned into joy following the Appeal Jury’s decision.

“I feel so relieved that they made the right decision,” said Queenie, whose previous best was 46.51m at the 2019 Malaysian Open in Bukit Jalil.

“I thank God as my hard work has paid off. I am excited as I improved my personal best by more than two metres.”

“I knew that I could break the record today as I have been doing almost 50 metres in training. With today’s effort, I have also qualified for the Sea Games, and I hope to win at least a silver in Vietnam.

Queenie won a bronze at the 2019 Philippines Sea Games.

Hamid said there is more to come from his star athlete.

“Although she has qualified for the Sea Games, I want her to focus on next year’s Hangzhou Asian Games.

“She is a dedicated athlete, and I believe she will continue to improve her mark in competitions,” said Hamid.