KUALA LUMPUR: Two years ago, Shawn Roshan Singh endured a disappointing debut at the 2022 KL Malaysia Games (Sukma), unable to complete the men's 5,000m race due to an ankle injury at National Stadium in Bukit Jalil.
But at the Sarawak Sukma, the SMK Anderson student from Ipoh emerged as one of Malaysia's top middle and long-distance runners.
He won silver in the 5,000m with a personal best time of 15:27.37 at the Sarawak Stadium today.
On Tuesday, Shawn also claimed silver in the 1,500m with a time of 4:04.94.
Shawn finished behind Federal Territories' Kristian Tung in both events.
The 20-year-old said: "After two close races, I hope to win my first Sukma gold medal in the 800m tomorrow.
"I am disappointed not to have won in the 1,500m and 5,000m. However, I hope to end my gold wait tomorrow in my last Sukma outing."
With a personal best of 1:56.10 in the 800m, Shawn is expected to compete fiercely against national runner Umar Osman, who won the 400m.
Shawn, coached by K. Jayabalan — who has trained many former athletes, including Josephine Mary — cited former Ethiopian world and Olympic long-distance champion Kenenisa Bekele as his idol.
He aims to become a national runner in the 1,500m and 5,000m one day.