Speed demon 'too slow' for SEA Games

Sprinter Muhammad Haiqal Hanafi's hopes of defending his Sea Games 100m crown in May in Hanoi were dashed yesterday after missing the qualifying mark of 10.52s at the Malaysian Open.

Though the Negri Sembilan runner won the century dash, he could only clock 10.58 seconds at the rain-soaked National Sports Council Stadium.

Johor's Muhammad Arsyad Md Saat finished second with 10.63s while Jonathan Nyepa of Armed Forces took bronze (10.64s).

Khairul Hafiz Jantan, who was the fastest man at the 2017 Kuala Lumpur Sea Games, could only finish fifth with 10.74s.

A dejected Haiqal said he accepts his fate if he misses the Hanoi Sea Games in May.

"I'm competing for the first time in two years, so the time I clocked is satisfactory.

"I have been clocking 10.45 to 10.58 in training, so my timing range is there," said Haiqal whose winning time at the 2019 Philippines Sea Games was 10.35s.

"It was raining heavily and I was not used to it. I accept the result as I have tried my best. It's just not my 'rezeki' to qualify for the Sea Games.

"I had won the 100m gold at the last Sea Games, so I don't feel too bad about not being able to defend my gold in Vietnam."

However, Haiqal said he could still go to the Sea Games under category B where the national federation pay for his trip, and they will be reimbursed by the National Sports Council if he wins a medal.

Three other sprinters: Russel Alexander Nasir Taib, Muhammad Zulfiqar Ismail and Muhammad Arsyad Md Saat have qualified for the Sea Games.

Russel clocked 10.46 in a competition in Australia last year while Zulfiqar hit 10.52 at the National Championship last December.

The 20-year-old Arsyad clocked 10.48s at the Perak All-Comers last week.

The Malaysian Open was the last qualifier for the Hanoi Sea Games.

RESULTS (ALL FINALS)

Men

100m: 1. Muhammad Haiqal Hanafi (Negri) 10.58, 2. Muhammad Arsyad Md Saat (Joh) 10.63, 3. Jonathan Nyepa (Forces) 10.64.

1500m: 1. M. Sanjay (Joh) 4:06.98, 2. Ahmad Lufh Hamzan (Negri) 4:07.59, 3. Mohd Amirul Arif Mohd Azri (Joh) 4:08.68.

10km walk: 1. Sriven Tan (Pen) 53:05.44, 2. Sivanesh Mohan Murali (Negri) 54:38.88, 3. Afiq Zufairi Azii (Joh) 56:37.94.

Hammer: 1. Jackie Wong (Forces) 68.13m, 2. Sadat Marzuqi Ajisan (Negri) 58.57m, 3. Rizad Azri Che Radzi (Prk) 48.50m.

Women

100m: 1. Shanti Veronica Pereira (Sin) 12.03, 2. Nur Aishah Rofina Aling (Sab) 12.18, 3. Fatin Yana Mat Nayan (Ked) 12.26.

100m hurdles: 1. Nur Syafiqah Anis (Forces) 15.03, 2. Juriani Mat Rodzi (Prk) 15.43, 3. Farah Syakira Azifsafarin (Prk) 15.60.

1500m: 1. S. Geetha (Joh) 5:03.27, 2. Jerusha Olive Jason (Sel) 5:43.30, 3. G. Revathy (Forces) 6:10.17.

10km walk: 1. Norliana Rusni (Forces) 1'00:11, 2. Alyssa Qistina Leong (Prk) 1:05.43, 3. Ummu Fatin Najihah (Prk) 1:06.13.

Discus: 1. Queenie Ting (Swk) 47.01m, 2. Choo Kang Ni (Forces) 44.66m, 3. Nur Atiqah Sufiah (Joh) 40.10m.

Long jump: 1. R. Kirthana (Forces) 6.00m, 2. Siti Zubaidah Adabi (Joh) 5.77m, 3. Nurul Ashikin Abas (Prk) 5.67m.

Pole vault: 1. Nor Sarah Hadi (Pah) 3.30m, 2. Helena Low (Sel) 3.10m.

Hammer throw: 1. Grace Wong (Swk) 61.87m, 2. Nurul Hidayah Lukman (Sel) 49.74m, 3. Nurfazira Jalaludin (Forces) 47.37m.

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