I’ll walk the talk
Khairil wants to deliver surprise gold at KL SEA Games
KUALA LUMPUR: Mohd Khairil Harith Harun aims out to walk tall in the Kuala Lumpur SEA Games in August.
Although Malaysia are not targeting gold in the walk events in the biennial Games, the Kelantanese walker is game to go the extra mile.
He has set himself the challenge of proving to everyone that he has what it takes to deliver the men’s 20km walk gold.
“I’ll take the challenge myself to achieve it. And I’ll go all out,” said Khairil.
The last Malaysian walker to win the SEA Games gold was Lo Choon Sieng in Palembang in 2011.
The 25yearold Khairil believes he’s a contender for gold after setting a personal best of 1’29:38 in a competition in Spain last year.
“The time I did last year is the best time recorded by a walker in the SouthEast Asian region.
It has boosted my confidence to clock a better time in the SEA Games, and to finish top of the podium.
“We (Malaysians) used to dominate the walking events in the biennial Games.
“And the time has come for us to regain the glory days,” said Khairil,
I’ll take the challenge myself to achieve it. And I’ll go all out. Mohd Khairil Harith Harun
who is coached by former national walker Teoh Boon Lim.
“It’ll be great if I can deliver the gold in our own backyard.
“I also hope that third time’s the charm for me in the SEA Games,” said Khairil, who is pursuing a degree in physical education at Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM).
He made his SEA Games debut in the 2013 Myanmar edition but was disqualified for floating.
Two years later in Singapore, Khairil returned with a bronze medal by clocking 1’40.57.
In the KL Games in August, Khairil will have 2011 winner Choon Sieng for competition but he won’t be intimidated.
“Choon Sieng is an experienced walker but I believe I can beat him to the gold.
“I expect to feature in four competitions during my runup to the SEA Games,” added Khairil, who’s competing in the Asian 20km
Walking Championships in Nomi City, Japan, on March 17.
Next will be the Malaysian Closed in April before Khairil
heads for a trainingcumcompetition stint in Europe in May where he will feature in two competitions.