KUALA LUMPUR: Teenager Khairul Ikhwan Zulkefli looks set to be the next No. 1 national walker.
The Form Four student of Pahang Sports School (SSMP) clocked a personal best of 50:46.53s to smash the men's 10,000m walk meet record at the Pahang Open Athletics Championships in Kuantan on Sunday.
Khairul's effort was more than four minutes faster than the old record of 55:21.27 set by Hanif Humaidi Ramli last year.
Compatriots Arif Fahmi Matsusin (50:57.01) and Afiq Zulfairi Azizi (51:04.97) finished second and third, respectively, at Darulmakmur Stadium.
"My hard work in training has paid off, and I am happy with my progress," said Khairul today.
His coach, Fauzi Sulaiman, said: "Khairul is only 16 and has a bright future. I believe he will clock faster times soon."
Meanwhile, Rizhan Rajmi hurled 44.50m to erase the old record of 42.73 in the men's hammer event to win the title.
Nurul Hidayah Lukman improved the meet record by nine metres with 47.87 to top the women's hammer event.
Former Sea Games champion Khairul Hafiz Jantan posted 10.65 to erase the previous record of 10.90 to win the men's 100m gold medal.
Zaidatul Husniah Zulkifli erased the previous record of 12.40 in the women's 100m by posting 11.71 to win gold.
Meanwhile, Ziyad Zolkefli was disappointed despite retaining his men's shot put title with an effort of 15.39m.
"I wanted to record a good distance here to gain confidence before next month's World Para Athletics Championships in Paris. But it turned out to be poor," said Ziyad, who has a PB of 17.94.
Another para-athlete Aliff Awi (12.24) bagged silver, while bronze went to Luqman Zuki of Police (11.85).