NOT SO FAST, KHAIRUL
Coach wants sprinter to save his best for Sea Games
DEVINDER SINGH devinder@nst.com.my stint in South Africa earlier this week, Khairul expressed his eagerness to run under 10.2 seconds in the 100m at the Singapore Open on Thursday and Friday and also break Tan Sri Dr M. Jegathesan's long-standing 200m national record of 20.92s.
But Poad said Khairul, 18, will have to put the brakes on and leave his 100m national record of 10.18s alone for the time being.
“Now that we are back we have to prepare for the Singapore Open so I can’t give the sprinters too much time off,” said Poad, who along with the sprinters, returned immediately to the Tunku Mahkota Ismail Sports School in Bandar Penawar where they are based.
“The target is to do the best in Singapore but I don't want them to peak yet. For Khairul, he has done 10.18 but I don’t want him to break that record yet. Let him to be five World Cups from what I gathered from the UCI (International Cycling Union), plus, the World Championships, if you qualify.”
“We would probably participate in two to three just to earn points but to focus for five, it’s too much travelling.”
In terms of points, Azizul insists he is not focused on the world ranking as the mission to defend the rainbow jersey takes priority.
“The World Championship is higher than the world ranking, after this we will try to improve do it at the Sea Games where he has to produce his best form.”
Poad is planning a series of competitions around Asia to keep the athletes in shape and may consider allowing them to compete at the Asian Track and Field (ATF) Championships in Bhubaneswar, India on July 6-9.
“The plan now is to train and compete in several meets around Asia,” said Poad. “Then we might go to another destination which we will decide later for more training.
“This will take place before the Sea Games and the training will be specifically to reach peak form at the Sea Games.
“But it won't be too far away like South Africa. For the ATF, I leave it to the association but because it is in early July, we could still use that competition as part of our Sea Games preparation.”
Poad added that he will only decide in June which events the sprinters will run after Badrul was tried out for the 400m in South Africa.
“Badrul has done 47 seconds in the 400m and we will continue to monitor his progress in that event in Singapore,” said Poad. “Probably at the end of June we will decide who competes in which events.” but at the moment, I don’t think so.”
The Pocket Rocketman added just because he is now the World champion, it does not mean he gets to relax.
‘“When we’re at the peak, there’s nowhere else to go but down so I need to get back and work harder,” said Azizul after a meet-the-fans session at a shopping mall in Kuala Lumpur, yesterday.
At the event, organised by the CIMB Group, Azizul spent about two hours with his fans. By Farah Azharie