Khairulnizam hopes his charges can shine bright on his coaching debut
THERE’S no breakk for Olympic sailor Khairullnizam Afendy.
Fresh from his silver-medal feat at the recent
Asian Games in Indonesiai and earning a third consecutive Olympic appearance, Khairulnizam has taken up a different role in the Perak Sukma.
He is the coach for the Kedah sailing team who will boast of the likes of Asian Games champion Fauzi Kaman Shah and Muhamad Uzair Amin Yusof.
The 15-year-old Fauzi was the youngest medallist for Malaysia at the Asian Games when he bagged gold in the Laser 4.7 Open class at Ancol Beach.
Uzair has partnered Naquib Eiman Shahrin to win back-to-back titles in the 420 class at the 2015 and 2017 SEA Games in Singapore and Kuala Lumpur respectively.
“We hope to win at least three gold medals. Fauzi and Uzair will be the favourites in their main events.
“This is my first time being a coach but I do not want them to look at me as one.
“I am also an athlete and I think this
This is my first time being a coach but I do not want them to look at me as one. Khairulnizam Afendy
approach will work. It is easier to click with the younger ones like this,” said the 25-yearold, who has contributed silver at the last two Asian Games.
Sailing will take place from Sept 15-19 in Lumut and 14 gold medals are up for grabs.
Kedah and Terengganu will be the teams to watch as they are spearheaded by former and current national athletes.
Terengganu have in their ranks Indonesia Asian Games bronze medallists Ilham Wahab and Nuur Fatin Solehah Abdul Rahman.
Ilham and Nuur Fatin, who are 19 and 17 respectively, bagged the bronze in the Mixed RS One class in Indonesia.