Nothing Speedy
Khairul ends up fifth in 100m, Zaidatul delivers gold
KUALA LUMPUR: Pint-sized Zaidatul Husniah Zulkifli topped the women’s 100m with a time of 11.66 but Khairul Hafiz Jantan – the fastest man in South East Asia – was a big letdown in the men’s 100m final in the Malaysian Open Athletics Championships at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil.
The SEA Games gold medallist finished a disappointing fifth in the blue-riband event yesterday with a poor time of 10.64.
Khairul’s effort was way off his national record of 10.18 – set at the Sarawak Sukma in Kuching in 2016. Vinoj Suranjaya De Silva of Sri Lanka clocked 10.27 to win the gold while Jonathan Nyepa, representing Armed Forces, posted 10.40 to take the silver.
Muhd Haiqal Hanafi of Negri Sembilan clocked 10.58 to win the bronze while Terengganu’s Muhd Zulfiqar Ismail finished fourth in 10.63.
The 19-year-old Khairul, nicknamed Speedy Jantan, was clearly disappointed with his performance.
“I thought I could clock a good time in the final but I made a mistake during the start.
“I thought the Sri Lankan sprinter in lane five had a made a false start before the gun was fired,” said Khairul.
“I was waiting for the second gun to be fired for false start and then realised that it was not a false start. So I was slow off the blocks and this affected my performance.
“I’ve competed in many races and this is a lesson for me – I must be more alert during the start,” said Khairul, who will feature in the 200m today.
In last year’s meet, Khairul won the gold in the 200m by setting a national record of 20.90.
Jonathan, who clocked a season best, said that there was no false start and he ran as fast as possible to win the silver.
“I’m on time and won the silver ahead of the fastest man in South East Asia,” said the Sarawakian.
Zaidatul, who won silver in the KL SEA Games last year, said she could have clocked a better time in the final if not for the two-hour delay due to rain.
“I had to warm up twice and this affected my performance. Despite the wet track, I managed to clock a reasonably good time.
“I’m doing a degree course in physical education at Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) and it’s not easy to study and train at the same time,” said Zaidatul, ranked sixth in Asia based on the time of 11.64 she clocked at the Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast last month.
The women’s high jump saw only three athletes competing as Ngu Jia Xin of Perak cleared 1.71m to win gold.
Yap Sean Yee, who holds the national record of 1.83m, took silver despite a poor jump of 1.66m.