HUP WEI AND NAURAJ MAKE HIGH JUMP FINAL

LEE Hup Wei is hoping to scale gr reat heights in the men’s high jump fin nal in what could be his last Asian n Games appearance.

Hup Wei and national record d holder Nauraj Singh Randhawa a made the high jump final after bo oth cleared a height of 2.15m at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium yesterday.

The qualifying height to decide the 12 finalists for the men’s high jump final scheduled tomorrow was determined at 2.15m.

The 31-year-old Hup Wei, who reached 2.155m on his third attempt, was delighted too maintain his record of reaching the fiinal in all his Asian Games outings so faar.

Nauraj, the national record holder at 2.330m and under the Podium Programme, secured his spot in the final with his second leap.

Hup Wei and Nauraj will use the extra rest day to recover and recharge their bodies. “I also reached the final in Doha (2006) and in Guangzhou (2010). I missed the last Asiad in Incheon because of injury,” said Hup Wei, who did his personal best in the ACT Championships in Canberra, Australia in January.

“I’m in the final again but I hope to better my personal best of 2.28m.

“This could be my last Asian Games as I do not know if I can qualify again in four years from now, so I hope to achieve something good.”

Qatari Mutaz Essa Barshim set a new Games record of 2.35m to win the gold in Incheon four years ago but he is not competing in Jakarta because of injury.