New dad eyes first ever-Asiad gold medal
NEW daddy Khairulnizam Mohd Afendy is the first Malaysian athlete to qualify for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo but he is going for a bigger prize.
Khairulnizam sets sail today for the final race at Ancol Beach looking to lock horns with South Korean Ha Jeemin to win the men’s Laser gold medal for the first time.
He is only trailing Jeemin by 1.2 point going into Race 12.
After 11 races, Khairulnizam has 19 points while his Korean rival is on top with 17.8 points. Singapore’s Ryan Lo is third on 22 points.
The 25yearold Khairulnizam, who welcomed his bundle of joy Khairul Adam in late June, is eying his firstever Asiad gold.
“I’m already assured of a medal and a spot in the Olympics as the South Korean sailor (Jeemin) has already qualified for the Olympics through the World Championships in Denmark last month,” said Khairulnizam.
“He made it as the best ranked Asian there, so I’ll take up the one slot awarded for the Olympics at this Games.
“The fight is not over. I’ve not won an Asian Games gold medal before and I hope I can have a good race to finish ahead of him,” he said.
The Korean will be the favourite today as he has been consistent over the last four years.
Jeemin also beat Khairulnizam to the gold medal at the last Asiad in Incheon four years ago and again at the Asian Sailing Championships held in Jakarta in June.
Malaysia are assured of one gold through 15yearold Fauzi Kaman Shah in the Laser 4.7 after the youngster took a comfortable 20point over secondplaced Wang Jianxiong of China.
After 11 races, Fauzi has 19 points while Jianxiong is a distant second with 39.
Rio Olympian sailor Nur Shazrin Muhd Latif is also fighting for a medal in the Laser Radial class as she is tied for third with Chanyim Kamolwam of Thailand on 34 points with an Olympic spot at stake today.
The sailing squad gold in the men’s 420 class at the last Asiad in Incheon four years ago through Faizal NorizanAhmad Syukri Abdul Aziz.