Khairul and Co hope to smash national record in Gold Coast Games

KUALA LUMPUR: The men’s 4x100m relay squad, powered by

SEA Games gold medallist Khairul Hafiz Jantan, will be going to the Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast with a mission to break the national record.

The others making up the quartet are Badrul Hisyam Abdul Manap, Nixson Kennedy and Jonathan Nyepa.

The national 4x100m record – 39.27 – was set by the quartet of Badrul, Jonathan, Nixson and Muhd Haiqal Hanafi in the Kuala Lumpur SEA Games last August where they finished fourth.

The 19-year-old Khairul, who holds the national record of 10.18 in the blue riband event, did not compete in the 4x100m because of a hamstring injury he suffered after the 200m final in the SEA Games.

National chief coach Zainal Abas said that as the national 4x100m record was set even without Khairul – the fastest man in the South-East Asia – they can expect the relay runners to better the mark in Gold Coast.

“With the presence of Khairul, this quartet have what it takes to do even better. They have been training well and they’re all geared up to give their best in Gold Coast,” said Zainal.

Zainal added that they also want to see Khairul do well in the 100m.

“Khairul did well to clock 10.34 in the Federal Territory All Comers last month and if he can clock a better time in Gold Coast, then he has a chance to reach the semi-finals.

“It also depends on the draw of the heats and who are the top sprinters he will compete against with.

“We’ll only know that during the managers’ meeting on April 7,” said Khairul.

Among the top sprinters to feature in the Games is Jamaica’s Yohan Blake, who’s the second fastest man in history.

Blake, a two-time world champion, has a personal best of 9.69, which is second only to Usain Bolt’s world record of 9.58.

The athletics competition will be held at the Carrara Stadium from April 8-14.

Zainal said he is also expecting women’s sprinter Zaidatul Husniah Zulkifli to better her personal best of 11.45 in the Games.

“With a stiff challenge, I hope she too can record a good time,” said Zainal.