KUCHING: National track star Umar Osman, though "tired", proved to be unbeatable in the men's 400-metre race at the Sarawak Malaysia Games (Sukma) today.
The Johor runner, who holds the national record of 46.09s, duly broke the Sukma record with 46.78 seconds at the Sarawak Stadium, rewriting the record of 47.02s set by Selangor's Ilham Suhaimi in 2018. Umar also defended his title, which he won two years ago in Kuala Lumpur.
Sabah's Khalil Helmi won the silver with 48.05s and Perak's N. Kanishkann took bronze with 48.42s.
Umar expressed his relief in winning gold and setting a Sukma record as he was feeling fatigued after helping Johor win two golds - in the men's 4x400m and mixed 4x400m relays.
"I was confident I could win, but I had to control that feeling because there were other strong runners like Khalil who gave tough competition.
"Today, I felt quite tired after competing in the men's 4x400m (yesterday) and the mixed 4x400m (the day before). So, I'm happy to have still achieved my mission."
Umar said he was not focused on breaking his own national record today as he has just recovered from an injury.
"For this Sukma, my target was to defend the gold and break the meet record.
"As for the national record, I think maybe next year or the year after. I have just recovered from an injury, and I don't want to put too much pressure on myself," he said.
Meanwhile Melaka's Shayna Marianne Periera Jesindran won the first athletics gold medal for her state after coming out first in the women's 400m with 57.74s. Kelantan's Nor Ainaa Balqis finished second with 57.77s and Johor's Nurul Aliah Maisarah Nor Azmi took bronze with 58.34s.