RAYZAM OUT TO RAISE EYEBROWS IN GOLD COAST
Hurdler out to defy odds in his first and last Commonwealth Games
KUALA LUMPUR: The Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast will be national hurdler Rayzam Shah Wan Sofian’s first and last.
And the 30-year-old wants to bow out in style in the 110m hurdles at the Games in Australia from April 4-15.
Despite representing Malaysia for the last 11 years, Rayzam has never qualified for the Commonwealth Games and thus, he is excited about his debut.
“I’ll be 34 at the next Games in 2022 (Birmingham) and I don’t think that I’ll be running then,” said Rayzam, who holds the national record of 13.67 which he set in Weinheim, Germany, last May.
“So, this is my one and only chance to prove myself in the Games and I want to make it memorable.
“My mission in Gold Coast is to produce my best and defy the odds,” he said.
Rayzam made his international debut at the age of 19 in the 2007 Korat SEA Games and surprised everyone by winning a gold medal with a time of 13.91.
“I made a memorable debut in Korat 11 years ago and I hope to make a good first impression in Gold Coast too by clocking a decent time.
“Nothing is impossible. I just need to have faith in myself.
“I’ll be competing against the best hurdlers in the Games and this will definitely push me to do my best,” said Rayzam.
He did well in the pre-Asian Games in Jakarta in February this year – his only international tournament – by winning a bronze with a time of 14.01.
“There has been a lack of competitions but it will not affect my performance as I’ve been training regularly,” he said.
“I’ve competed in many competitions in the last 11 years so I have the experience to tune myself for the Commonwealth Games.
“I’m also using the Commonwealth Games as part of my preparation for my first Asian Games in Jakarta (from Aug 18-Sept 2),” said Rayzam, who will be going to Leipzig, Germany, in May for two months in preparation for the Asiad.