UP-AND-COMING sprinter Zulfiqar Ismail put himself in contention for a spot in next year's Vietnam Sea Games when he met the 100m qualifying mark at the National Closed Championships in Bukit Jalil yesterday.
The 22-year-old, who was kept out for two years due to hamstring injuries, clocked 10.52sec in the men's 100m final.
Arsyad Saat clocked 10.69 for the silver, while Jonathan Nyepa took third on 10.72.
Reigning SEA Games champion Haiqal Hanafi flopped as he finished sixth, clocking 10.80.
"When I had finished fourth in last month's Malaysian GP, I was still in rehab for my injuries," said Zulfiqar.
"I had serious injuries, and it is good to be back at my best. I did not expect to clock below 10.60 today (yesterday).
"My next goal is to break my personal best of 10.40, achieved three years ago."
"I have equalled the Sea Games qualifying mark of 10.52, so I hope I will be considered for the Sea Games," said Zulfiqar, who did not qualify for the 2019 edition in the Philippines due to hamstring injuries.