Photo: UPND
Usain Bolt has retired from the track and field scene but his name still lives on.
We have one young sprinter from Malaysia who may just be our very own Bolt though!
In the Manila SEA Games 100m, 20 year old Haiqal Hanafi got a gold medal when he finished ahead of Ruttanapon Sowan (10.49s) and Bandit Chuangchai (10.52s) from Thailand with a commendable 10.35s! Most of us can only dream of speed like that.
"After the semi-finals in the afternoon, Khairul Hafiz gave me encouragement and advice to help me improve my running technique. I did what he said and praise be to God, I made it,” said Haiqal.
The Negeri Sembilan-born athlete performance was a stellar but surprising one, and the 10.35s he wrote sets a new personal record for himself. At the moment, the national record still lies with Khairul Hafiz at 10.18s, a feat he performed at the SUKMA 2016.
"This is my biggest achievement to date because this is my first time in an individual event in the SEA Games and I have proven that I can do it. I never expected to win. Even without my coach, Poad (Mohd Kassim), I was able to prove that I can deliver,” the elated Haiqal told Berita Harian. He had previously participated in a 4x100m sprint in the Kuala Lumpur 2017 edition.
Meanwhile, Malaysian Jonathan Nyepa, finished in fourth place.
Great effort from our local boys. Well done, we say!
By: Celestine Foo
