Sukma XVIII: Unstoppable ‘Sprint King’ Khairul makes history yet again

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Khairul crosses the finish line with a time of 21.03s in the men’s 200m race to set a new games record.

Khairul crosses the finish line with a time of 21.03s in the men’s 200m race to set a new games record.

KUCHING: Newly crowned ‘Sprint King’ Khairul Hafiz Jantan, again shattered the 200m Sukma record in a space of two days when he clocked 21.03s to win gold at the Sarawak Stadium here today (July 29).

Khairul made a slow start off the block, though he managed to burst away from the rest of the runners upon reaching the halfway mark for the historic win.

This completes a hat-trick of record breaking and gold winning feats in Sukma XVIII for the budding Melaka sprinter, having broken Watson Nyambek’s 18-year-old national 100m record of 10.3s on Wednesday with a time of 10.18s.

Yesterday, Khairul was part of the 4x100m relay team which also broke the games record with a time of 39.89s.

In the 200m semi-final, Khairul ran 21.14s to erase the 14-year-old record held by former national runner, Nazmizan Mohammed from Terengganu, who clocked 21.33s at the Sukma 2002 in Sabah.

Only time will tell whether the new sprint sensation can equal the 48-year-old national record of 20.92 set by the “Flying Doctor” Tan Sri Dr Jegathesan Manikavasagam at the 1968 Mexico Olympics.

“I never thought I would break the record. I had a slower start due to the morning condition. My performance is usually better during late afternoon runs. It is only natural that we strive to improve, so my next target is the national 200m record. I need to continue to improve on my technique. I’m still young, I will do my best,” Khairul told reporters when met after the medal presentation ceremony.

Khairul (centre) with Jonathan and Muhammad Aqil poses for photographs after their medal presentation.

Khairul (centre) with Jonathan and Muhammad Aqil poses for photographs after their medal presentation.

Muhammad Aqil Yasmin of Selangor clocked 21.31s to finish second while Sarawak’s Jonathan Nyepa had to settle for bronze after finishing at 21.34s.

Sarawak had a reason to celebrate this morning when Mohd Rizzua Haizad Muhamad clocked 14.54s to win gold in the men’s 110m hurdles. The Kota Samarahan lad, a clear favourite before the race, was unstoppable in the semi-final yesterday, running 14.67s to finish ahead of his rivals.

Mohd Izzua crosses the finish line to win gold for Sarawak.

Mohd Izzua crosses the finish line to win gold for Sarawak.

His younger brother, 17-year-old Mohd Rizzuah, was also in the race but finished in sixth with a time of 15.66s.

Mohd Rizzua, 19, was happy with the win having withdrew from the Perlis Sukma finals two years ago due to a hamstring injury.

“I dedicate this win to my parents who are here to watch us race. They have been very supportive of our career, the gold medal today is gift to them,” he told reporters after the race.

Muhammad Zul Fikri Yusri and Mohd Emyrul Haziq ran 15.05s and 15.10s respectively to finish second and third place.

Mohd Izzua celebrating his 110m hurdles win with a time of 14.54s.

Mohd Izzua celebrating his 110m hurdles win with a time of 14.54s.