Schoolgirl javelin thrower eyes Sukma glory
SIBU: A total of 17 new records have been created by the end of the third day of the Sarawak Inter-Divisional Schools Athletics Championship at Tun Zaidi Stadium here yesterday.
Two of the record breakers even performed better than the MSSM national schools records.
Elvin Yap Zhi Xian from Kuching equalled the MSSM record in the Boy’s U-15 110m hurdles with a time of 14.20sec in the semi-finals.
He ran even faster to win the final in 14.06sec.
Ng Jing Xuan from Miri threw the Girl’s U-14 javelin to a distance of 37.18m which is further than her own MSSM record of 36.83m set in Selangor last year.
It was coach Chang Siang Cheng who first spotted her talent.
“I am a former national volleyball player and when Chang spotted my strength, she immediately recommended me to take up javelin,” she recalled.
Ng, who has a personal best of 39.18m, took part in the 2018 Sukma in Perak and was placed fifth.
“I will continue to train hard, and under my coach Chang Siang Cheng, I hope to keep improving and win something for Sarawak in the next Sukma,” she added.
Sarawak Sports Council coach for throw events Ling Neng Thung believes that Ng and Yap are bright prospects for future Sukma editions.
He also expressed confidence that Sarawak will continue to do well in the MSSM National Schools Championship in Johor next month.
“We have cultivated a strong grassroots development programme which we must continue to nurture to ensure a steady supply of good athletes once the seniors retire,” the vetean coach added.
Among the record breakers so far are Kapit’s Nathalie Lenang ( Girls U-14) triple jump: 10.78m; Miri’s Ormila Octavia Codday Nyadau (Girls U-14) 100m: 13.0sec and 200m: 26.94sec; Miri’s Robson Badi Laja (Boys U-12) 80m hurdles: 12.41sec; Bintulu’s Rozales Sigau Ladai ( Boys U-14) 400m: 52.09sec; Kuching’s Nornajihan Abdullah (Girls U-14) 100m hurdles: 16.51sec and 200m hurdles: 31.06sec; Sarikei’s Jonah Chang Rigan (Boys U-18) shot put: 17.79m; Sarikei’s Clarence Syree Jeffery ( Girls U-15) discus: 35.11m; Sarikei’s Wong Yew ( Boys U-15) hammer: 52.97m; Sarikei’s Nadia Jaman ( Girls U-14) long jump: 5.00m; Sarikei ‘ s Clezendra Chanda Ceverster Empari ( Girls U-14) 1,500m: 5: 29.48; Miri Division in Girls U-14 4x100m relay: 52.88sec; Samarahan Division in Girls U-14 4x400m relay: 4: 05.14.
In the team standings Miri Division has a comfortable lead with 395 points (29 gold, 18 silver, 25 bronze) followed by Sarikei Division with 211.3 points (13-17-7), Kuching with 182.5 (15- 4-15) Sibu with 165 points ( 8-12- 6), Bintulu with 152 points (7-11-11), Mukah with 86 points (2- 4-11) and Limbang with 79.3 points (4- 4- 5).
I am a former national volleyball player and when (coach) Chang spotted my strength, she immediately recommended me to take up javelin. Ng Jing Xuan, Miri athlete