Nur Aqilah Yusof and Khairul Hafiz Jantan. — Bernama photo
KUCHING: Malacca’s sprint sensation Khairul Hafiz Jantan was as surprised as anyone that he would shatter two Sukma records, erased the national 100m record and be crowned Best Male Athlete on his debut in the just concluded 18th Malaysia Games.
“I believe that it was my training regime which had brought me to who I am today and, whatever it is, I am happy with my progress at the moment,” he said.
The 18-year-old revealed that he would be focusing on his studies after this before competing in the Malaysian Open next.
“I will be contesting in the 200m event as advised by my coaching team,” Hafiz said, adding that he would remain humble as usual despite the fame and media attention after he erased Sarawak’s Watson Nyambek from the national record book. He bettered the long-standing 100m record which was as old as him.
“I did not expect to record 10.18 as our initial target was about 10:25,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Best Female Athlete was archer Nur Aqilah Yusuf. She arrived for the Sarawak Sukma focused on delivering the gold. So, she said, the best athlete award was a bonus. Aqilah, who contested the women’s recurve 70m events, broke one national and one Sukma record on her way to winning three gold medals for Terengganu. “My decision to focus on this Sukma for the state first before considering the national call-up proved to be rewarding and I am happy for that,” said Aqilah, who will be sitting for her Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) this year.