Jackie still training daily despite university exams

KUALA LUMPUR: National hammer thrower Jackie Wong Siew Cheer is busy preparing for his university examinations but his training schedule continues as usual.

The Sarawakian athlete is still training daily to break his national record for the 13th time in the South Korean Athlet ics Championships in Yecheon City from June 17-18.

The 26-year-old Jackie, pursuing a degree in agriculture at University Putra Malaysia (UPM), broke the national record in the Malaysian Open Championships at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil last month with a throw of 66.01m.

His effort erased his previous record of 65.90m set in the Kuala Lumpur SEA Games last August, which broke both the SEA Games as well as the national record.

Last year, he competed in the Korean Open and returned with the silver medal with an effort of 65.34m.

Jackie said that although he is busy studying for his university examinations, he still trains at least once a day for the Korean Open.

“I have broken the record 12 times since 2013 and I hope to hurl the iron ball to better my national record in the Korean Open to finish on the podium,” said Jackie, who won gold in the pre-Asian Games in Jakarta in February with an effort of 64.96m.

“I have made steady progress since I started training under Chinese coach Gu Yuan in 2013. And I believe with her guidance, I will continue to improve my personal best in competitions.

“I hope I will be able to go for a stint in Mannheim, Germany, to train and compete against the European athletes,” said Jackie.