Russel Taib Renews Malaysian 200m Record in 20.77s
>> March 23, 2019
Australian based Malaysian sprinter Russel Taib has broken Khairul Hafiz's national record in the men's 200m with a time of 20.77s during the 2019 Queensland Track Classic at Brisbane, Australia today (23/3/2019).
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| Official results |
He achieved the time with a wind reading of 2.0 m/s, just inside the allowed limit of +2.0m/s as set by the International Association of Athletics Federations.
Japan's Kei Takase won the B race right in front of Russel in 20.75s while South Korea's Lee Jae-Ha came third in 20.91s.
During the Malaysian Games in 2018, the Asian Youth bronze medalist came only third at 200m (21.30s), however, right on the same track earlier in January this year, the 21-year-old came very close to beating Khairul Hafiz's record during the Shield athletics meeting by recording 20.94s (+1.8).
For a record, Khairul Hafiz held Malaysian 200m record of 20.90s after breaking M.Jegathesan's national record of 20.92s which has stood for 49 years during the Malaysian national championships in 2017.
Meanwhile, Muhammad Hakimi Ismail cinched the gold medal in the men's triple jump with a wind-aided jump of 16.47m (+3.1), which he set during his last attempt.
He also recorded a seasonal best of 16.02m (+1.4 m/s) from the 2nd attempt.
The two-time SEA Games champion whose personal best is 16.77m (i.e. SEA Games record) is currently 2nd on the Southeast Asian ranking lists.
Mark Harry Diones of the Philippines, Hakimi's SEA Games main rival has registered 16.08s earlier this month during the Philippine national championships at Ilagan.
High Jumpers Lee Hup Wei and Nauraj Singh were the other two Malaysian in the meeting.
The experienced and SEA Games 1-2 favorites finished 3rd and 4th with 2.20m and 2.12m, respectively. New Zealand's Hamish Kerr came 1st in 2.24m.
The duo needs to clear 2.33m in order to compete in the IAAF World Championships at Doha in September.
Hup Wei was unable to clear 2.24m but making a 2.20m effort means equalling a season-best from the Ipoh all-comers in Malaysia last month.
