High five not enough for Muthu

FOR the past week, members of the Malaysian track and field team were happily high-fiving each other in Hanoi.

Mission accomplished. Malaysia met their five-gold target.

Yet amid the euphoria, Malaysia Athletics Federation (MAF) president Datuk S.M. Muthu couldn’t but help feeling it should have been more.

Two more gold at least, should have been seven instead of five.

Muthu said the opportunity for “bonus” gold was there although he was pleased with the team’s overall performance.

“Everyone did well, we didn’t really have any major issues here,” said Muthu.

“There were, however, a few events in which we expected gold but were unable to win.

“For example, the men’s high jump.

“I believe we could have at least won seven gold here but there were also events which we had to withdraw from.

“K. Prabrudass, for example, was not able to compete as he was unwell, and the doctor advised him to rest in the ward for one day.

“If he was able to compete, he would most likely have won a gold in either the 1,500m or 5,000m as his personal bests were better than the athletes that won gold in Hanoi.

“Everyone was determined to become a champion, including Azeem Fahmi.

“He was probably a little nervous during the 100m heats. It is normal for humans to move their hands or feet if they are nervous. He was just under pressure.”

Three-time gold medallist Nauraj Singh Randhawa, the outright favourite for gold in the high jump, was forced to settle for silver.

Azeem, 18, who is dubbed as the Usain Bolt of Malaysia, was disqualified from the 100m due to a false start in his heat.

However, Malaysia won one unexpected gold through sprinter Nor Sarah Adi in the women’s pole vault.

Malaysia’s other gold medals in track and field came from hammer throwers Grace Wong and Jackie Wong, Irfan Shamsuddin (men’s discus) and Andre Anura Anuar (men’s triple jump).

Muthu said the national athletes will take a one to two weeks break before resuming training.