Khairul aims to clock 10.20 seconds at ATF

KUALA LUMPUR: The country’s number one sprinter Khairul Hafiz Jantan hopes to accomplish a personal mission when competing in the Asian Track and Field (ATF) championships in Bhubaneswar, India from July 6-9.

Marking a major milestone in his career, Khairul who will be competing in the ATF for the first time, hopes to improve on his personal best time by running around 10.20 seconds in the 100m although competition will be stiff.

“I have a personal mission in India. My main aim is to improve my time because I will be competing against the best sprinters in Asia, especially from China, Japan and Thailand,” he told reporters when met at the launch of a new running shoe “Puma - Netfit Technology” here yesterday.

Also present were his coach Mohd Poad Md Kassim and fellow sprinter Badrul Hisyam Abdul Manap.

Khairul and Badrul will have to be at their best, not only in India, but during the 2017 Kuala Lumpur SEA Games because Singapore SEA Games gold medal winner Eric Cray from the Philippines will be here to defend his 100m gold medal.

“Competition in the SEA Games will certainly be tough but I am going to give it my best shot in front of the home fans. My coach keeps reminding me to overcome the fear factor during the race although expectations will be high because I will be running on home turf,” he said. - Bernama