KUALA LUMPUR: Wan Fazri Wan Zahari appears to be right on track for a strong outing at the upcoming Phnom Penh Sea Games (May 5-17) after claiming a well-calculated victory at the Philippines Open Athletics Championships today.
Rather than going for outright pace Fazri, 22, ran a tactical race in the men's 800m final at Ilagan City, biding his time before outkicking his rivals to win in one minute and 53.91 seconds.
Philippines duo Mariano Masano (1:54.17s) and Frederick Ramirez (1:54.23s) bagged silver and bronze respectively.
Fazri's timing today was faster than the gold medal winning time of 1:55.75s (Joshua Atkinson, Thailand) at the Hanoi Sea Games last year.
It was, however, slower than his personal best of 1:51.66s which he clocked en route to gold at the Malaysia Games last year.
Fazri, who is coached by Hisham Mustaza Ibrahim, said he was grateful to be able to claim a win in the month of Ramadan.
"It was a very tactical race as I was surrounded by six Filipinos. We had a slow start but in the last 200m I made the dash and was glad to hit the finishing line first," said Fazri.
"I want to make a memorable Sea Games debut in Cambodia and hopefully come back with a new personal best and a medal."
Meanwhile, Yap Sean Yee claimed gold in the women's high jump event at the Philippines Open after recording a leap of 1.70m today.
Sprinter Zaidatul Husniah Zulkifli, who won the women's 200m silver on Thursday, also bagged silver in the 100m after clocking 12.02s in the final.
Her timing was, however, some way off her personal best of 11.59s.
Husniah was not happy with her performance in the final.
"In the heats I clocked 11.90s and was hoping to do better in the final," said Husniah, who is set to feature in her sixth consecutive Sea Games.
Malaysian athletes did well in the five day competition winning a total of five gold, two silver and two bronze.
Nani Sahirah Maryata broke the national record in the women's shot put with a throw of 14.69m.
KW: Sports, Athletics, 800m, Phnom Penh Sea Games, Wan Fazri Wan Zahari