45 GOLD UP FOR GRABS
Athletics offer medals galore from today
MOHD KHAIRIE KHALID khairie@bh.com.my to make a name for himself on the local and international arenas.
The 19-year-old sprinter who has earned the nickname ‘The Speedy Jantan’, holds three national records in the 100m (10.18s), 200m (20.90s) and 4x100m relay (39.62s). This will be Khairul Hafiz’s first Sea Games outing.
The sprint races on the newly laid track will be a hotly contested affair especially in the 100m event, with defending champion Eric Cray of the Philippines eager to cement his position as the fastest man in Southeast Asia. Cray triumphed two years ago in Singapore clocking a time of 10.25s and he will be looking to better his timing.
When met during practice, Cray acknowledged that competition will be stiff in his quest to become Southeast Asia’s fastest man, so much so he did not dare to claim that he would emerge tops once again — or he could be playing mind games as he said he just wants to do his best for his country.
The 100m sprint will also see 2013 Myanmar Sea Games gold medalist Jirapong Meenapra of Thailand in action, along with Indonesian speedsters Yaspi Boby and Iswadi, who won silver and bronze respectively two years ago in Singapore. Apart from Khairul Hafiz, Jonathan Nyepa will be the other Malaysian on the starting blocks and he is in fine form with a season’s best timing of 10.28s.
In the women’s sprint competition, the 200m will be one to watch out for as defending champion Veronica Shanti Pereira of Singapore has stated that she will be going all out to retain the title by clocking a faster time than the 23.60s she clocked two years ago. Malaysia will be represented by Zaidatul Husniah Zulkifli who will have to be on top of her game if she is to challenge Veronica for top honours.
The sprint events take place today at 3pm with the final slated to take place at night. The last time Malaysia won gold in the 100m and 200m was at the 2001 Hanoi SEA Games through Nazmizan Muhammad.
Success in track and field for Malaysia is not out of reach as there are young and capable athletes led by Khairul Hafiz (100m, 200m, 4x100m), Rayzman Shah Wan Sofian (110m hurdles), Nauraj Singh Radhawa (high jump), Muhammad Hakimi (triple jump), Muhammad Irfan (discus throw), Jackie Wong (hammer throw), Adi Alifuddin (shot put) Iskandar Alwi (pole vault), and Tan Huong Leong (marathon).
In women’s competition, Malaysia have sprint queen Zaidatul Husniah (100m), Yap Sean Yee (high jump), Yap Jeng Tzan (discus throw), Grace Wong (hammer throw) and walker Yuan Yu Fang.
Malaysia will also be counting on world champion para athletes Muhammad Ziyad Zolkefli (shot put) and Abdul Latif Romly (long jump) who will be in action competing against ablebodied athletes.
Malaysia will be banking on 36 male athletes and 27 female athletes to win as many medals possible from track and field events.